China not to pursue oil resources monopoly in Africa

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-11-06 13:42

China will not pursue monopoly of oil resources in Africa, and will not exclude and affect the cooperation between Africa and other countries, said Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in Beijing on Sunday.

At a joint press conference held by Chinese, Ethiopian and Egyptian foreign ministers, Li Zhaoxing said "the criticism of China's energy policy in Africa is unreasonable."

China can self support more than 90 percent of its energy. China's import of crude oil from Africa only accounts for 6 percent of the total oil trade volume in the world, Li said.

The energy cooperation is part of the Sino-African cooperation which is based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit. During the cooperation, which is open and transparent to the outside world, China abides by  related international rules, Li added.

The press conference was held following the two-day Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Ethiopia is the co-chair of the forum, while Egypt will host the next in 2009.

The Beijing Summit closed earlier Sunday after adopting a historic declaration and an action plan for 2007-2009 in an effort to facilitate China-Africa cooperation in an all-round way.

The landmark gathering highlighted "friendship, peace, cooperation and development."


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