By CNN Senior China Analyst Willy Wo-Lap Lam
Wednesday, December 17, 2003 Posted: 3:14 AM EST (0814 GMT)
Wen is greeted by Alpha Oumar Konare, chairman of the AU Commission, in Addis Ababa.
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(CNN) -- Beijing has consolidated its status as a major leader of the Third World with Premier Wen Jiabao's just-ended trip to Ethiopia.
While meeting leaders from 44 African nations that attended the China-Africa Cooperation Forum (CACF) earlier this week, Wen stressed China's willingness to help the continent despite his country's status as the world's largest developing country.
"We still have a long way to go before the goal of modernization is achieved," the state media quoted Wen as saying. "But we do offer our assistance [to Africa] with the deepest sincerity and without any political conditions."
In the past few years, Beijing has forgiven 10.5 billion yuan's ($1.27 billion) worth of debts from 31 African countries.
State and private firms have also invested in 117 new enterprises.
Wen announced in Addis Ababa that China would cut all tariffs of imports from the poorer African nations.
He said Beijing would put more resources on helping Africa train personnel particularly in agriculture, high technology, and business areas.
In his address to the CACF, the premier also decried the "rise of hegemonism" in the international scene, as well as the need for developing countries to join hands to fight for a fairer world order.
"Hegemonism" is a Chinese code word for predominant American influence, something that stands in the way of Beijing's long-standing effort to nurture a "multi-polar" global system.
Diplomatic analysts said while Beijing had made headway in relations with the U.S. and the European Union, it was at pains to boost its already formidable clout in Africa and the Third World.
The analysts said the importance of Africa had increased because of fast-industrializing China's need to ensure reliable supplies of minerals and energy.
Moreover, Africa is a battleground in the on-going struggle between Beijing and the self-ruled island of Taiwan.
The Chinese leadership is anxious to persuade the seven African countries that still recognize Taiwan to switch diplomatic recognition to the mainland.
At the CACF, Wen thanked African countries for supporting the one China policy and for helping Beijing "safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Wen returned to China early Wednesday after a long trip that also took in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
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