Book spells out growing role of firms

A book detailing the investments of about 100 Chinese companies in more than 20 African countries was officially launched in Johannesburg on Friday, the opening day of the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation Johannesburg Summit.

Chinese Enterprises in Africa 2015, written in English and Chinese, was compiled over the past year as a result of China Daily, the national English-language newspaper in China, conducting extensive interviews across the continent.

Jiang Jianguo, minister of China's State Council Information Office, said at the launch ceremony during the South Africa-China Business Forum that Chinese Enterprises in Africa 2015 offers African and Chinese readers compelling writing and images, and vividly describes how Chinese investors integrate with local communities and their endeavors to help economic takeoff in Africa. It also offers a window for Africans to better understand Chinese enterprises, he said.

Jiang said: "There will be a significant increase in media coverage of the partnership and cooperation between Chinese and African enterprises, and between Chinese and African people for mutual development."

China's trade with African countries has exceeded $222 billion so far in 2015. About 4,000 Chinese companies have invested more than $30 billion in Africa, according to the China-Africa Business Council.

Chinese investments take a proactive approach in helping African countries in their the drive for industrialization and regional integration, Jiang said.

A large number of jobs have been created because of these investments, and at the same time, Chinese companies have undertaken different corporate social responsibility programs to not only benefit local communities, but also to contribute to the long-standing friendship between China and African countries.

Gao Anming, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily, said that Chinese media organizations, including China Daily, have expanded their operations to Africa to provide fully fledged, objective and balanced coverage in the continent with African as well as Chinese perspectives.

houliqiang@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 12/05/2015 page2)