by Xinhua writer He Ying
BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Over the past 60 years, China has grown from a poor developing country into an engine of the world economy with unfolding potential. At the same time, China has hitched intensified cooperation in global development to its increasing economic power.
With an increasing commitment to providing foreign aid, the past 60 years has been a history of the major developing country striving for deeper international cooperation and the goal of global prosperity. The process has been by no means an easy one, but definitely one with great achievements.
In East Africa, the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA), one of the largest China-funded overseas aid projects, has been playing an important role in giving landlocked Zambia a link to the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam and promoting regional economic development since its completion in July 1976.
In Harare, many Zimbabweans place high hopes on the Demonstration Center of China Agricultural Technology. Currently being built, it is hailed as an important cog in the country's agricultural development and its bid to regain its status as Africa's "bread basket."
In Kenya, China's development aid, mostly targeting the infrastructure sector, is key to the development of the country and Africa as a whole.
Over the past 60 years, China has offered aid to more than 160 countries, encompassing nearly 2,000 projects, to improve the livelihood for the people of the recipient countries. In the meantime, about 100,000 personnel, including officials and technical professionals, have come to China for occupational training and research.
Since 1963, China has sent 20,000 people to provide medical assistance in 65 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the South Pacific.
Chinahas also strengthened its humanitarian aid to countries hit by major natural disasters and has since 2000 freed recipient countries from repaying debts on four occasions.
China's aid is particularly welcome and praised because it comes without conditions, nor has China sought to interfere in the domestic affairs of the recipient countries.
Over the past 60 years, China has been grappling with poverty and other various difficulties in its modernization. Although China has made significant achievements toward economic prosperity, it still shares many problems concerning development with other developing countries.
As part of the international community and a good friend of other developing countries, China has been embracing the ideal of achieving global prosperity through deepening international cooperation.
Therefore, as a developing country itself, China has always tried its best to do what it can in providing foreign aid.
Global issues such as reducing poverty and hunger, decreasing the gap between rich and poor countries, and achieving global prosperity have been put on the agenda toward lasting peace and a harmonious world.
Against this backdrop, China will continue to make efforts in foreign aid and push forward international cooperation.
