U.S. Relations with the People's Republic of China (2005)

U.S. Department of State

Advancing Freedom, Peace and Prosperity in Africa

Jendayi E. Frazer, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs;
Dr. Cindy L. Courville, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs at the NSC
Foreign Press Center Roundtabel Discussion
New York, New York
September 16, 2005

3:00 P.M. EDT

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QUESTION: Well, my question is about China. Could you tell us about your assessment of China's support to some African countries speaking for -- like having forces because in Congress this issue has been raised and there are many congressmen voiced their concerns about their mood. So do you say their concerns were -- I'd like to know whether you share that.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FRAZER: Sure, I think we could probably both contribute to an answer. I am not too concerned about China, in general, engaging Africa. In fact, I think it's good because Africa is part of the world that we all have strong relations with African countries. I think it's a positive thing.

There are instances in which we've had to -- we need to increase our dialogue with China. For instance, in Sudan, there was a time when we were trying to, you know, put pressure on the regime to negotiate the North-South deal and China was, you know, getting lots and lots of oil, which was providing revenue to that very government. So that's an instance.

There was clearly the situation with Zimbabwe recently where Zimbabwe was looking to China to help finance its repayment of its debts to the IMF. And so just like with all governments, there are going to be points in which, on a bilateral basis when you're looking at another region, you have to harmonize your positions better. And so I think that that's going to be the nature of my engagement, at least with my counterparts in China, which is the same as it is with the UK, with the Belgians, with the French. We need to harmonize our positions.

DR. COURVILLE: I think we need to acknowledge that China has had a long history of engagement with African countries. If you look at it in terms of liberation movement struggles, most of it has been in the security sector side or military-to-military engagement. But it is important for us to have a dialogue with China on how can we help with HIV/AIDS, how can we use their expertise in the medical front, how can we use in communications. It really is going to take this joint engagement to really help facilitate change, with infrastructure development, there are many things that China can do. If we coordinate it, then this can mean greater prosperity for the continent.

And tariffs -- I mean textiles -- that's another area where we need to have real conversations with China.

QUESTION: President Bush has discussed this issue when he met with President Hu two days ago?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FRAZER: Not in that previous conversations, but in delegations that have gone out we have raised the issue of China and how we can partner better together to have a more positive and enhancing impact on the African continent.

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