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111-614: FOCAC is the primary multi-lateral coordination mechanism between African countries and China. Along with the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) , FOCAC was one of the first regional organizations established by China outside its territorial periphery. Since 2018, China and the African states explicitly view FOCAC as a part of China's Belt and Road Initiative . As of 2022, the members of FOCAC are 53 African countries (all except Eswatini), China, and

222-412: A 2022 FOCAC coordinators’ meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that China would forgive 23 interest-free loans that had matured at the end of 2021 for 17 African countries. FOCAC meets every three years, alternating between an African country and China, although the 2021 meeting took place online due to COVID-19. China often uses the occasion of FOCAC summits to solicit African support for

333-553: A 600 million yuan humanitarian and reconstruction aid for Syria, Yemen, Jordan and Lebanon and a further 1 billion yuan was offered to support "social stability efforts". Also announced in 2018 was a China-Arab Countries Interbank Association with $ 3 billion in funding from China Development Bank for interbank credits with local banks in the region. Foreign ministers of CASCF member states meet every two years, either in China or in an Arab state. CASCF also has ten subgroups, including

444-531: A conservative interpretation of the Westphalian norms of state sovereignty. Chinese foreign aid is a significant area of interaction within FOCAC, and FOCAC is the primary channel through which China provides resources to the African countries. Through FOCAC, China provides aid in the forms of debt forgiveness, aid grants, concessional loans, and interest-free loans. The sole political condition China requires

555-680: A conservative interpretation of the Westphalian norms of state sovereignty. China's advocacy for this strict interpretation of Westphalian sovereignty has intensified since the 2011 NATO intervention in Libya , creating some tensions within CASCF over the positions China (as a member of the United Nations Security Council ) takes on Syria, although generally the Arab League states continue to support China's advocacy of

666-529: A desire and ability to enact large, thorough legal and economic reforms, and political reforms aimed at making the Chinese government more efficient and transparent, Zhu made it clear that he did not support dramatic political change. At a press conference during his 1990 trip to the U.S., Zhu stated, "You have your system of democracy, and we have our system of democracy. But that does not mean we have nothing in common." When asked by Western journalists whether he

777-548: A large and high-profile special economic zone . Early in Zhu's mayoralty, he delivered the speech, "Let Enterprises Swim by Themselves in the Markets" in which he encouraged enterprises and people to "go through the markets," stating that "everyone can form links through the markets." The speech helped establish his reputation as a proponent of economic liberalization. It was during his time as Mayor of Shanghai that he developed

888-484: A massive smuggling ring. In the resulting purge, numerous top-level Party leaders and governors were arrested and executed. On one inspection tour, after noticing that dikes had broken because funds allocated to their proper construction had been stolen by corrupt officials, he flew into a rage over such "son-of-a-bitch construction projects", which were not uncommon in China at the time. Referring to his efforts to fight corruption, he once said, "I will prepare 100 coffins for

999-610: A memoir. After retiring, Zhu invested much of his time and energy into public philanthropy. In 2013 and 2014 alone he donated 40 million RMB (c.$ 6.5 million US) to charity. The donated money reportedly came from the royalties from his books, and was given to a charitable foundation promoting education in poor rural areas. The amount of money given was considered unusual among retired Chinese politicians, leading to speculation about Chinese political culture. The donations prompted some commenters to compare his character to that of China's first premier, Zhou Enlai . In March 2022, according to

1110-467: A parallel currency system for foreigners. All these economic reform efforts by Zhu did not dismantle the state sector, but streamlined it with the goal of accomplishing Deng's new form of marketized socialism. Although many in the West were skeptical when Deng announced that he would pursue "socialism with Chinese characteristics," Zhu's reforms helped increase China's wealth and power while leaving it under

1221-400: A programme of continuous reforms, which they believed would be necessary to achieve this growth. There were two major goals Zhu believed were necessary to achieve this vision, which Zhu began while serving as China's vice-premier. His first goal was to rationalize and centralize the fiscal and financial system. The second goal was to streamline and strengthen the state sector. Zhu's first task

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1332-497: A programme of privatization that lasted throughout his period in office, during which China's private sector experienced rapid growth. He responded to the 1997 Asian financial crisis by dramatically reducing the size of the state bureaucracy, maintaining strict capital controls , and through funding massive infrastructure projects. During the crisis he refused to devalue the Chinese yuan, and angrily defended his decision when some international leaders suggest that he do so. Following

1443-1208: A public reputation as a strong opponent of corruption, and a talented economic reformer. His efforts to simplify the process by which the government approved business deals earned him the nickname "One-Chop Zhu". In order to improve relations with the foreign business community and solicit outside advice, he formed an advisory committee composed of foreign businessmen. While working in Shanghai he began his long working relationship with subsequent CCP General Secretary Jiang Zemin (then party secretary of Shanghai) which continued throughout Zhu's career. He also became known while administering Shanghai for his strict adherence to law and Party discipline, and for his refusal to grant extrajudicial favours to those close to him. Once in 1988, when some family members asked him over dinner if he could bend China's residency ( hukou ) laws to allow them to move to Shanghai, he turned them down, responding: "What I can do, I have done already. What I cannot do, I will never do." In 1989, when large-scale protests broke out in numerous cities around China, there were also large, well-organized protests in Shanghai. Unlike

1554-416: A report published by The Wall Street Journal , Zhu voiced his opposition to current CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping seeking an unprecedented third consecutive term, as it would break the established party system of leadership succession . Zhu Rongji has been recognized as a good public speaker and was notable during his career for his proficient command of English. He often made public speeches without

1665-493: A role which is filed by a senior official from China's foreign affairs ministry . Throughout the development of CASCF, Arab states have urged China to use the forum to strengthen its support for Palestine; CASCF's statements of support for Palestine have grown stronger over time. In its 2004 founding declaration, CASCF states, "China stresses support for the Middle Eastern peace process, land for peace principle and

1776-608: A three-year action plan and Chinese pledges of loans, grants, and export credits. Although established following the urgings of African diplomats in the late 1990s, China has taken the lead in FOCAC throughout the existence of the organization. In addition to African requests, China had its own reasons for establishing FOCAC, including: creating an organization to ensure future political and economic influence in Africa in light of other great and rising powers setting up similar organizations, counteracting European Union influence in light of

1887-736: Is a Middle East peace process aimed at resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict (including the territorial disputes that Lebanon and Syria each have with Israel). Other issues which have emerged following the Arab Spring include the Syrian civil war , and issues in Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, and Somalia. In recent years, CASCF documents have noted Arab states' support for China's approach in Hong Kong. Besides, CASCF has an ambassador position,

1998-585: Is a formal dialogue initiative between China and the Arab League established in 2004. It serves as the primary multilateral coordination mechanism between China and the Arab states. CASCF was established in 2004 during a visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao to the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. At the end of the meeting, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Secretary General Moussa jointly announced

2109-462: Is adherence to the One China principle . Being largely free of political conditions, China's foreign aid diverges from the global model, which requires more political concessions from recipient countries. The FOCAC founding declaration states China's critique of the dominant global mode of foreign aid which, in the Chinese view, results in the mistreatment of developing countries: Each country has

2220-435: Is he willing to visit Taiwan? Zhu answered that, regarding China 's policy toward Chinese unification , he would not comment further and pointed to previous statements by CCP general secretary Jiang Zemin . He claimed that China had upheld the one country, two systems principle and preserved a high degree of autonomy in Hong Kong and compared Taiwan to Hong Kong, noting that China allows Taiwan to retain its own army , and

2331-555: Is the only one who understands economics." When a global recession occurred in 1992 , China was challenged with excessive investment in fixed assets, excessive monetary supply, and chaotic financial markets. Inflation rates reached over 20%. As the director of the central bank and the vice-premier and head of the State Council Economic and Trade Office, Zhu resolved these issues by limiting monetary supply, eliminating duplicate low-tech industrial projects, devaluing

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2442-609: The African Union Commission . A number of North African states are dual members of both CASCF and FOCAC: Algeria , Djibouti , Egypt , Libya , Mauritania , Morocco , Somalia , Sudan , and Tunisia . Although the African Union has increasingly played a coordinating role since joining CASCF in 2012, each African state represents itself in FOCAC and activities are implemented bilaterally between China and individual African countries. Each meeting results in

2553-746: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission . Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Commerce Minister Chen Deming led a delegation to attend the meeting. A $ 10 billion low cost loan was announced on November 9, 2009, double the $ 5 billion loan announced and implemented at the 2006 Beijing Summit. A 1 billion U.S. dollar special loan for small and medium-sized African businesses was also established. China also announced eight new policy measures aimed at strengthening relations with Africa that were "more focused on improving people's livelihoods". Wen announced that China will write off

2664-789: The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 1949, the same year that Mao Zedong proclaimed the People's Republic of China . Zhu then began his career as a civil servant in the Northeast China Ministry of Industries, where he was appointed the deputy head of its production planning office. In 1951 he became the chairman of the Tsinghua Student Union . From 1952 to 1958 he worked in the State Planning Commission , where he

2775-686: The Hundred Flowers Campaign in 1957, causing him to being labeled as a "rightist" in the subsequent Anti-Rightist Campaign , leading Zhu to be demoted and expelled from the CCP. He was sent to work at a remote cadre school afterwards. He was pardoned, though not politically rehabilitated in 1962, after the famine caused by the Great Leap Forward , being again assigned at the State Planning Commission. He

2886-908: The National People's Congress of China and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the various African national parliaments, the Pan-African Parliament , and the African Parliamentary Union . The summit was held in Beijing from September 4 to 6, 2024. To promote the summit, China hosted the 7th China-Africa Folk Forum and China-Africa Youth Leaders Forum in Changsha from July 24 to 26, and

2997-1109: The One China Principle . China also expresses support for the African Union and for United Nations peacekeeping missions during FOCAC summits. The first Ministerial Conference was held in Beijing from 10 to 12 October 2000. President Jiang Zemin , Premier Zhu Rongji of the State Council, and Vice President Hu Jintao of the People's Republic of China participated in the conference. More than 80 ministers from China and 44 countries and representatives from 17 international and regional organizations attended this meeting. African attendees included President Gnassingbé Eyadéma of Togo , President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria , President Frederick Chiluba of Zambia , President Benjamin William Mkapa of Tanzania , and Secretary-General Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim of

3108-833: The Organization of African Unity . The conference passed the Beijing Declaration of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation and the Programme for China–Africa Cooperation in Economic and Social Development . The second Ministerial Conference was held in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia , from 15 to 16 December 2003. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao , Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi , six African presidents, three vice presidents, two other prime ministers, and one president of

3219-590: The Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from 1992 to 2002, under CCP general secretary Jiang Zemin . Born in Changsha, Hunan, Zhu became a member of the CCP in 1949, the same year the People's Republic of China was established . He worked in the State Planning Commission between 1952 and 1958, and criticized CCP leader Mao Zedong 's economic policies during

3330-681: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East . China-Arab states special loans are two special credit lines established by China in announcements in 2016 and 2018 in the amount of US$ 15 billion and $ 20 billion respectively. Both announcements were made in speeches given by Xi Jinping that called for jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative , China's global economic connectivity plan. The $ 15 billion special loan for infrastructure and manufacturing

3441-461: The $ 10 billion UAE-China Joint Investment Fund was also noted. During the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in Beijing in July 2018, President Xi announced the $ 20 billion special loan for "economic reconstruction." The 2018 announcement took on a different tone from the one in 2016 with pledges of help for reconstruction of war torn countries. The $ 20 billion special credit line was paired with

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3552-620: The 1980s and the government became more meritocratic, Zhu was promoted to work in increasingly demanding positions. He had few connections in the army, the Party, or the bureaucracy, and was able to rise through the ranks of the government mostly through his own skills. In 1979, he was reassigned to the State Economic Commission, the successor of the State Planning Commission, where he served as vice-minister from 1983 to 1987. After being politically rehabilitated and reentering

3663-403: The 2006 meeting. Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centers are a major component of China's agricultural cooperation with African countries. The function of these centers is to transmit agricultural expertise and technology from China to developing countries in Africa while also creating market opportunities for Chinese companies in the agricultural sector. The fourth Ministerial Conference of

3774-558: The 2021 summit, those continue to be regular themes for FOCAC. During the 2012 summit, China announced the Initiative on China-Africa Partnership for Peace and Security, through which it provides financial and technical support to peacekeeping missions conducted by the African Union. Particularly since the 2012 FOCAC, China has focused more on the quality, effectiveness, and sustainability of the aid it provides to African countries. The second FOCAC Summit and sixth Ministerial Conference

3885-446: The 30 hospitals and 30 malaria prevention and treatment centers built by China and train 3,000 doctors and nurses for Africa. Wen further stated that China will build 50 China–Africa friendship schools and train 1,500 school principals and teachers for African countries and increase the number of Chinese government scholarships to Africa to 5,500 by 2012. China will also train a total of 20,000 professionals of various fields for Africa over

3996-470: The African states view FOCAC as a major platform for coordination as part of the Belt and Road Initiative . Agricultural development was a focus of the 2018 summit. China pledged $ 60 billion in funds for development in Africa. During the summit, Xi announced additional grants of RMB 300 million and RMB 100 million in emergency food aid from China to South Sudan . Due the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 meeting

4107-552: The Arab states, CASCF agreed in 2010 to call specifically for an end of Israel's occupation in East Jerusalem . The 2012 CASCF declaration called for Palestine to become a full member of the UN and of UNESCO . Subsequent CASCF declarations have echoed these positions. Of particular note, the 2018 declaration calls on all states to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016) (which condemns measures designed to change

4218-573: The Beirut Summit Arab Peace Initiative." The action plan from the 2004 summit provides concrete detail, calling for strengthening the UN's peace process role and an independent state for Palestinians. The 2008 CASCF declaration goes further, calling on Israel to end the occupation of lands occupied since 1967, for the work of the international community to lift the blockade on Palestinians, and for Israel to stop building settlements. In response to united pressure from

4329-622: The China-Africa Media Cooperation Forum in Beijing on August 21. This time, Chinese and African leaders will discuss and cooperate around the theme of "Joining hands to promote modernization and build a high-level Chinese-African community of destiny". This forum is also the largest domestic diplomatic event organized by China in recent years and attended by the largest number of foreign leaders. China-Arab States Cooperation Forum The China–Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF, Chinese : 中国－阿拉伯国家合作论坛 )

4440-526: The China-Arab Relations and China-Arab Civilization Dialogue, which also usually meet every two years. On an annual basis, senior officials from CASCF member states meet to implement CASCF action plans. Zhu Rongji Zhu Rongji ( Chinese : 朱镕基 ; IPA : [ʈʂú ɻʊ̌ŋ.tɕí] ; born 23 October 1928) is a retired Chinese politician who served as the 5th premier of China from 1998 to 2003. He also served as member of

4551-512: The Chinese currency, cutting interest rates, reforming the tax system, and investing state capital in the transportation, agricultural, and energy sectors. He attempted to reform the state banking sector by introducing greater oversight to discourage reckless lending, introducing "asset management companies" to manage the many large, non-performing loans that many of China's banks had accumulated, and privatizing large banks in order to expose them to free market competition. Following Zhu's management,

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4662-602: The Chinese economy was able to maintain stable growth and avoid dramatic price fluctuations. Zhu's ability to stabilize the economy led to his being named to the CCP Politburo Standing Committee at the 14th Party Congress in 1992, after which he also retained his other posts. In July 1993, at the first National Finance Work Conference, Zhu gave a speech in his capacity as governor of the People's Bank of China. Zhu explained his view of how China's financial system should be structured, stating that

4773-431: The Chinese government more regulated and transparent by increasing the number and powers of independent regulatory commissions, downsizing government bureaucracy, opening government positions to outside experts and reforming the government's system of hiring and promotion based on merit, and improving administrative predictability by strengthening the rule of law. Before Zhu came to office, employment in China's bureaucracy

4884-581: The Chinese market. The Chinese side will, starting from 2004, negotiate lists of tariff-free goods and the rules of origin with the countries concerned on a bilateral basis." The 2003 summit was the first at which cultural cooperation was a point of emphasis. The first FOCAC Summit and the third Ministerial Conference were held in Beijing from November 3 to 5, 2006. Hu Jintao , President of China, and heads of state or heads of government from 35 African countries attended this Summit. President Hu rolled out $ 5 billion worth of concessionary loans to Africa during

4995-625: The Communist Party. Zhu was promoted to work as the Communist Party secretary of Shanghai in 1989. Zhu assisted Deng in regaining his prestige and authority by assisting Deng in organizing his 1992 Southern Tour . In 1990, Zhu led a delegation of Chinese mayors to meet with local and national political and business leaders from the United States, attempting to maintain and improve political and business relationships. It

5106-577: The FOCAC was held at Soho-Square, in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh , on 8 to 9 November 2009. The meeting reviewed how the consensus of the Beijing Summit has been implemented. It also adopted a Sharm el-Sheikh declaration and an action plan for 2010–2012 to chart the path for further China–Africa cooperation. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao , Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak , and African heads of state or government from 49 countries attended

5217-653: The FOCAC was held on 19 to 20 July 2012, in Beijing, China. Announcements were made by China for support in investment and lending, including a credit line of $ 20 billion for African countries to build infrastructure, agriculture, and manufacturing to support small and medium-sized enterprises in Africa. Also, the China-Africa Development Fund , which had been announced during the 2006 FOCAC and established with capital of $ 1 billion, would be scaled up to $ 5 billion. The 2012 summit placed significant emphasis on security cooperation and peace. As of at least

5328-606: The Five Principles. In contrast to China's mostly similar cooperation forum with Africa (the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, or FOCAC ), CASCF is more focused on international and regional political issues. Many Arab states view China as a great power which can assist them in the international community, especially via the UN Security Council. The most prominent political issue advocated through CASCF

5439-687: The National Economic Bureau of the State Planning Commission. During the Cultural Revolution , Zhu was purged again. From 1970 to 1975, he was sent for "re-education" to a May Seventh Cadre School , a special farm for disgraced government workers and former Party members. During his five-year exile in the countryside Zhu was a manual laborer, raising pigs and cattle, carrying human waste, and planting rice. Shortly after Mao's death in 1976, Deng Xiaoping rose to power and subsequently initiated political reforms leading to

5550-427: The Party's power abroad." The most active opponent of Zhu's plans to reform the Chinese economy was Premier Li Peng . Li and Zhu clashed in the first two years following Zhu's appointment as vice-chairman; but, by the time that he suffered a heart attack in 1993, Li had lost influence within the government and was no longer able to block many of Zhu's reforms. That Zhu's reforms had quickly gained wide support within

5661-789: The People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate representative of China, with the exception of Eswatini (Swaziland) . It was also reported that more African leaders went to the 2018 summit than to the similarly timed UN General Assembly meeting. At the summit, Xi Jinping emphasized the "Five Nos" which guide its foreign policy in dealing with African countries and other developing countries: (1) non-interference in other countries' pursuit of development paths suitable to their national conditions, (2) non-interference in domestic affairs, (3) not imposing China's will on others, (4) not attaching political conditions to foreign aid, and (5) not seeking political self-interest in investment and financing. The 2018 FOCAC declaration states explicitly that China and

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5772-523: The Press , a collection of speeches and interviews with foreign and Chinese journalists and officials, was released in 2009 (an English translation of the book was released in 2011). A second book, Zhu Rongji's Answers to Journalists' Questions , a four-volume compilation of Zhu's speeches, articles, and letters, was also released in 2011. The second book was translated and published in English in 2013, under

5883-628: The WTO would force economic and legal changes within China that Zhu himself had little power to implement. Zhu, along with his successor Wen, attempted to set limits on the power of local officials to levy miscellaneous service charges and fees in order to protect farmers from indiscriminate taxation by corrupt officials. Zhu retired from his position as member of CCP Politburo Standing Committee in November 2002 and premier in March 2003 respectively, when he

5994-412: The aid of a script, and when he did so his speeches were said to be entertaining and dramatic. He enjoys literature, and has reportedly spent much of his retirement reading books he had no time to read while in office. He plays the erhu , an instrument similar to a two-stringed violin. He enjoys Peking Opera , and once appeared on stage as an actor in a performance. His wife, Lao An, once served as

6105-636: The biggest SOEs and allowed thousands of other small and medium-sized firms and factories to go under, assuming that new growth in the private sector could alleviate any surge of unemployment. This strategy resulted in millions of workers losing their " iron rice bowl " guarantees of cradle-to-grave employment, health care benefits, and pensions. Zhu challenged managers to base salaries on performance and market competitiveness and made profitability and productivity determining factors in managerial and executive promotions within surviving SOEs. Zhu abolished Foreign Exchange Certificates in 1994, which China had used as

6216-560: The central government was made clear at Li's confirmation process during the Party's 1992 convention: although Li's appointment was already agreed upon by China's top leadership, Zhu received a relatively large and unusual protest vote by many of the Party delegates. Throughout Zhu's term as both vice-premier and premier, Li was successful in blocking Zhu from introducing regulation or government oversight over China's power companies, and they remained private monopolies essentially run by Li's family throughout Zhu's term of office. Zhu once used

6327-464: The central government's cut of total revenue increased by over 20% in a single year, balancing the central budget and putting Beijing's resources on track to reliably increase over time. In order to manage China's financial affairs he appointed himself governor of the People's Bank of China with jurisdiction over monetary policy and financial regulations, bringing the highly decentralized banking system more closely under Beijing's control. Zhu's next task

6438-478: The civil service, Zhu resumed connections with his alma mater, Tsinghua University. In 1984, he was named the founding dean of the Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management . He held his position as dean at Tsinghua for 17 years, throughout most of his subsequent public career. As he became increasingly able to meet and make connections with foreign academics and world leaders, he

6549-416: The corrupt, and one for me, for I will die of fatigue". Much of his efforts to increase the role of the private market in the economy, to improve legal protection for businesses, and to introduce a true commercial banking system were implicitly undertaken in the interest of reducing the kind of official corruption and waste that he uncovered through his personal investigations of government officials. He took

6660-509: The crisis, Zhu advocated improving international financial markets in order to prevent harmful market speculation. Zhu started the China Development Forum in 2000. At its inception, the forum was a relatively intimate meeting between Chinese leaders and foreign experts. Zhu viewed the meeting as a stress test for leading officials, and encouraged policy debate and discussion with the foreign experts in attendance. He

6771-963: The debt of some of the poorest African nations. He said China will construct 100 new clean-energy projects on the continent covering solar power, bio-gas, and small hydro-power and gradually lower customs duties on 95 percent of products from African states with which it has diplomatic ties. He also stated that China would undertake 100 joint demonstration projects on scientific and technological research, receive 100 African postdoctoral fellows to conduct scientific research in China, and assist them in going back and serving their home countries. The number of agricultural technology demonstration centers built by China in Africa will be increased to 20. 50 agricultural technology teams would be sent to Africa and 2,000 agricultural technology personnel would be trained for Africa, in order to help strengthen Africa's ability to ensure food security. China also will provide medical equipment and antimalarial materials worth 500 million yuan to

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6882-469: The demographic make-up of occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem) and explicitly criticizes the United States for moving its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. During the 2024 CASCF Summit, Xi stated that a two-state solution must be upheld and that war must not continue indefinitely. China pledged a further US$ 69 million in emergency humanitarian relief for Palestine and US$ 3 million to

6993-523: The election. Three years later, in his farewell speech to the National People's Congress in 2003, Zhu encouraged Chinese politicians to use softer language in discussing the issue of mainland China-Taiwan relations, saying that mainland China and Taiwan should improve economic, transportation, and cultural ties in order to improve their relationship. During the speech Zhu accidentally referred to China and Taiwan as "two countries" before quickly correcting himself and referring to them as "two sides". The incident

7104-558: The establishment of the "China-Arab Cooperation Forum" and issued the "Communiqué on the Establishment of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum". CASCF was the first cooperation forum between the Arab League and any other country or region. CASCF membership consists of China and the Arab League, which officially represents its twenty-two member states as a relatively unified body. CASCF therefore serves as

7215-400: The firm grip of the Communist Party. Zhu also had an important role in reducing inflation. In a joint news conference with US president Bill Clinton , Zhu Rongji elucidated the Chinese position on three questions relating to Cross-Strait relations: i) the influence of United States Armed Forces on cross-strait relations; ii) whether there is a timetable for Chinese unification ; iii)

7326-525: The first EU-Africa Summit, counterbalancing emerging India-Africa and Turkey-Africa cooperation organizations, and advocating for developing country causes. FOCAC emphasizes political cooperation between Africa and China. The core political norms that China advocates within FOCAC are its Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence : mutual respect for territory and sovereignty, mutual nonaggression, mutual noninterference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence. These principles are

7437-533: The first nine months of 2002, with exports outstripping imports. he meets South Korea President Kim Dae-jung and Lee Hee-ho in 2001. Zhu earned a reputation as a strong, strict administrator, intolerant of corruption, nepotism, or incompetence. In Beijing he was sometimes known by the nicknames "Madman Zhu" and "Boss Zhu" for his hard, transparent work ethic and his tendency to disregard the bureaucratic status quo. In addition to investigating individual examples of potential official corruption, Zhu attempted to make

7548-447: The first time at subsidized rates. By the end of Zhu's term as premier, the Chinese economy was stable and growing confidently. While foreign direct investment (FDI) worldwide halved in 2000, the flow of capital into mainland China rose by 10%. As global firms scrambled to avoid missing the China boom, FDI in China rose by 22.6% in 2002. While global trade stagnated, growing by one percent in 2002, mainland China's trade soared by 18% in

7659-451: The government's violent crackdown of protesters in Beijing, Zhu was able to peacefully resolve the local situation. At one point a group of protesters derailed and burnt a train, for which several participants were arrested and executed, but there was otherwise little loss of life, and Zhu was able to retain significant public sympathy throughout the event. In a September 1989 meeting with David M. Lampton , Zhu attributed his success resolving

7770-593: The governor of the People's Bank of China from 1993 to 1995. His first issues after arriving in Beijing were to restructure the debts owed by state owned enterprises , and to simplify and streamline the process by which farmers sold their grain to the government. Zhu was able to enact relatively far-reaching reforms largely via the broad support of Deng Xiaoping, who noted that Zhu "has his own views, dares to make decisions, and knows economics." In comparing Zhu to his peers when considering his appointment, Deng said, "The current leadership do not know economics... Zhu Rongji

7881-620: The initial capital of 10 billion dollars." One of the outcomes of the 2015 forum was the Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages programme. The 2018 summit took place in Beijing in early September 2018. A total of 40 Presidents, 10 Prime Ministers, 1 vice-president and the Chairperson of the AU Commission were among the African dignitaries who participated in the Forum. By May 2018, all African UN member states recognised

7992-416: The late 1950s his family was also persecuted for their pre-revolutionary status as wealthy landowners, and their family mansion was destroyed. After his persecution as a rightist, Zhu was sent to work at a remote cadre school. In 1962, following the famine and industrial collapse caused by the Great Leap Forward , Zhu was pardoned (but not politically rehabilitated), and assigned to work as an engineer at

8103-520: The lead in negotiating China's entry into the World Trade Organization , which the country achieved in 2001 to domestic and international acclaim. Joining the WTO opened China to increased foreign investment, but also required it to conform to international conventions of trade, intellectual property, and environmental management. Zhu expected that China's entry into the WTO would lead to economic expansion, but also hoped that entering

8214-435: The market rate. As researcher Zongyuan Zoe Liu writes, "The Party's contemporary economic power and financial influence are based substantially upon the institutions that Zhu envisioned in 1993, Fifteen years later, in 2008, China's policy banks and sovereign funds emerged on the global financial scene as some of the world's largest institutional investors, wielding significant influence over financial markets and projecting

8325-476: The next three years. The head of the United Nations food agency, World Food Programme , Executive Director Josette Sheeran praised the forum's role in food security, agriculture, and infrastructure in Africa. Discussions at the summit also highlighted the importance of climate change issues, poverty reduction, and exchanges between African and Chinese think tanks. The fifth Ministerial Conference of

8436-656: The opening ceremony. Also addressing the opening session were the presidents of Liberia , Zimbabwe , Uganda , Sudan , Republic of Congo , Rwanda , Central African Republic , and Tanzania ; the prime ministers of Ethiopia , Côte d'Ivoire , and the Democratic Republic of the Congo ; the vice presidents of Seychelles , Ghana , and Burundi ; the President of the National Assembly of Gabon ; and

8547-882: The primary multilateral coordination mechanism between China and the Arab States. This coordination by the Arab League allows Arab states to negotiate actively for collective projects involving multiple states, such as railway projects, nuclear power projects, and Dead Sea initiatives. From 2011 to 2023, during the suspension of their Arab League memberships in 2011, Libya and Syria participated individually in CASCF. Since 2018, China frames CASCF as falling within its Belt and Road Initiative . The core political norms that China advocates within CASCF are its Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence : mutual respect for territory and sovereignty, mutual nonaggression, mutual noninterference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence. These principles are

8658-494: The private sector to work under him as advisors in the central government, and was successful in attracting a small core of several dozen such officials to work under and advise him. By opening mid-level appointments to outside experts, he was able to ensure that the Chinese bureaucrats who were promoted during his term as premier were generally supportive of his ideas. During his term as premier Zhu engaged in frequent large-scale efforts to fight official corruption. At one time he

8769-478: The protests in Shanghai to the government's approach in Beijing, stating, "All the demonstrations and riots were directed by people in Beijing, so until Beijing solved the problem Shanghai could not. The solution in Beijing made it possible to solve the Shanghai situation peacefully." Following the violent resolution of the Tiananmen protests there was a brief struggle for control of the Chinese government within

8880-480: The purchase of grain over six years had gone missing, he launched an investigation which concluding that at least 10 billion RMB had been instead used to construct hotels and luxury apartments, and on speculative business investments. In one inspection tour in 2001, Zhu uncovered the largest corruption ring in modern Chinese history, discovering that many of the highest-ranking officials in Fujian had conspired to operate

8991-613: The rehabilitation of victims of the Cultural Revolution. From 1976 to 1979. he worked as an engineer in the Ministry of Petroleum Industry, and served as the director of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences ' Industrial Economic Bureau. In 1978, he was formally rehabilitated and allowed to rejoin the CCP. During the late 1970s, Zhu's positions were relatively low-profile, but after Deng consolidated his power in

9102-580: The right to choose, in its course of development, its own social system, development model, and way of life in light of its national conditions. . . . Moreover, the politicization of human rights conditionalities on economic assistance should be vigorously opposed to as they constitute a violation of human rights. Following her interviews of African scholars and diplomats, U.S. Professor of International Securities Studies Dawn C. Murphy concludes that many African countries genuinely appreciate this moral stance by China against political conditions for foreign aid. At

9213-716: The senate, as well as President Alpha Oumar Konare of the Commission of African Union , and the representative of the UN Secretary General attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. More than 70 ministers from China and 44 African countries attended the conference. The Conference passed the Addis Ababa Action Plan (2004–2006). Through the 2003 FOCAC plan, China announced it would "grant zero-tariff treatment to some commodities of African LDCs [ least developed countries ] for access to

9324-420: The state "must establish a system of financial institutions, under the supervision of the central bank, principally consisting of national policy banks and state-owned commercial banks, but that encompasses a variety of financial institutions[.]" His proposed institutions included an export-import bank, a national interbank lending system, a short-term paper market, and an renminbi exchange rate mechanism based on

9435-476: The strategic direction of markets as indispensable. Generally, he was skeptical of the efficacy of comprehensive state planning of the economy. Zhu frequently argued in favor of indirect economic instruments, for example at the June 1993 Dalian Conference, although he also viewed central government directives as a viable tool. Zhu and Deng's vision of China's future was not simply one of rapid growth. It included

9546-552: The summit. As one of the "Eight Measures" for Sino-African relations, President Hu announced the creation of the China-Africa Development Fund to further Chinese investment in Africa with US$ 1 billion of initial funding with its fund expected to grow to US$ 5 billion in the future. China also pledged to open its markets further to African countries, and to increase the number of products from African least developed countries that are eligible for tariff exemptions. China first announced its Agricultural Technology Demonstrations Centers at

9657-404: The term "patriotic organizations" in a speech in the mid-1990s to describe the triads , citing their history as secret societies in resisting foreign invaders and playing a key role in Chinese history. This was interpreted by some observers as indicating a cultural connection between the triads and the Communist Party. Zhu was an advocate for markets while also viewing the state's role in setting

9768-730: The title: Zhu Rongji on the Record: The Road to Reform . By the end of 2013 over six million copies of his books had been sold. Henry Kissinger wrote that the translation of his books into English represented a significant contribution to Sino-US relations and promoted international understanding of Chinese culture and politics. One Western biography of Zhu encouraged leaders in other developing countries to study and emulate his reforms, and compared his influence on practical economic theory to that of Keynes . Although he has published books compiled from his speeches and interviews, his daughter has reported that he has no interest in writing

9879-417: The vice minister of the commission from 1983 to 1987. In 1988, he became the mayor of Shanghai, where he pursued economic reforms. He worked with Shanghai CCP secretary Jiang Zemin, who he succeeded as Shanghai CCP secretary in 1989, when Jiang was promoted to CCP general secretary. Zhu became the first-ranked vice premier in 1993, serving under premier Li Peng , where he pursued further economic reforms. He

9990-570: The vice-chairman on the board of directors of China International Engineering and Consulting. She and Zhu attended two schools together, first at the Hunan First Provincial Middle School, then at Tsinghua University. They have two children, a son and a daughter. Their son, Zhu Yunlai , was born in 1957. He was once the president and chief executive officer of one of China's most successful investment banks, China International Capital Corp. Their daughter, Zhu Yanlai,

10101-592: Was China's Gorbachev , he responded "No, I am China's Zhu Rongji". In 1991, largely due to his success in managing the development of Shanghai, Zhu was promoted into the central government in Beijing, where he focused on planning and resolving economic projects and issues as the vice premier of the State Council under Premier Li Peng and the director of the State Council Production Office. He also served an overlapping term as

10212-670: Was able to promote a close academic relationship between Tsinghua and M.I.T. Later in his career, he gained a reputation as a mentor to subordinates, a habit that observers interpreted as a product of his position as an educator at Tsinghua. In 1988, after mayor Jiang Zemin became Party Secretary of Shanghai, Zhu was promoted to work as the mayor of Shanghai , which was then China's largest, most industrially developed, and wealthiest city. During Zhu's term as mayor of Shanghai he oversaw large, rapid improvements in telecommunications, urban construction, and transportation, especially in Pudong ,

10323-616: Was announced by China. The individual elements of the package were "5 billion dollars of free aid and interest-free loans, 35 billion dollars of preferential loans and export credit on more favorable terms , 5 billion dollars of additional capital for the China-Africa Development Fund and the Special Loan for the Development of African SMEs each, and a China-Africa production capacity cooperation fund with

10434-520: Was announced in January 2016 during a visit by President Xi at the Arab League . The loan program in 2016 was announced as part of a larger financial package that had a heavy emphasis on business and investment. In addition to the $ 15 billion special credit line, US$ 10 billion of commercial loans and US$ 10 billion of concessional loans (foreign aid loans) were announced. The launch in December 2015 of

10545-444: Was born, and his mother died when he was nine. Zhu was subsequently raised by his uncle, Zhu Xuefang, who continued to support Zhu's education. Zhu was educated locally, and after graduation from high school he attended the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing . At Tsinghua he became a student leader and took part in activities organized by the Communist Party. He graduated with a degree in electrical engineering and joined

10656-458: Was further promoted to being premier in 1998. In his capacity as first vice premier and premier, Zhu was regarded as the leading figure behind China's economic policy . Zhu had a reputation as a tough but pragmatic administrator. During his office, China's economy saw double digit growth. Zhu was also much more popular than his predecessor Li Peng among the Chinese public. However, Zhu's opponents stipulate that his tough and pragmatic stance on policy

10767-497: Was group head, deputy director, and deputy section chief. In 1957, during the Hundred Flowers Campaign , he criticized Mao's economic policies, saying that they promoted "irrational high growth". His comments led to him being subsequently identified as a "rightist" in 1958 during the Anti-Rightist Campaign , for which he was persecuted, demoted, disgraced, and thrown out of the Communist Party in January 1958. In

10878-861: Was held on 4 to 5 December 2015, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The 2015 summit emphasized China's commitment to assist in the industrialization of Africa. FOCAC started to stress the Belt and Road Initiative beginning with this summit, the declaration of which committed China and African states to "actively explore the linkages between China's initiatives of building the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and Africa's economic integration and sustainable development agenda, and to seek opportunities to promote common development and realize our common dreams." A $ 60 billion package of aid, subsidized lending, and state-backed investment

10989-456: Was held online via videolink, with participants located in Dakar and Beijing. It emphasized health diplomacy, although it continued to also emphasize political and security cooperation especially n cybersecurity and support for African police. Per the action plan which followed the summit, the African countries and China committed to increasing parliamentary dialogue by increasing exchanges between

11100-410: Was largely obtained via tenure and political connections. Zhu attempted to modernize the bureaucracy's seniority system and improve the government's ability to attract and retain talented workers by opening senior- and mid-level positions to public selection, and by reforming the civil service's examination system. He made a strong effort to attract and promote economists and technocrats from academia and

11211-408: Was not able to attend due to poor health. In the letter, he encouraged the students at the prestigious business school to visit poor and rural areas of China, in order to better understand the conditions of most Chinese people. He appeared at the funeral of Huang Ju on June 5, 2007. Since he left office, Zhu has written and has been the subject of numerous books. Zhu's first book, Zhu Rongji Meets

11322-555: Was prepared to let the leader of Taiwan become the deputy leader of China in the event of unification. Zhu's position on Taiwan changed over the course of his time as premier. During the 2000 ROC presidential election in Taiwan , Zhu warned Taiwanese voters not to vote for the DPP , which favors distancing Taiwan from China, stating, "those who are pro-Taiwan independence will not have a good ending." His attitude towards Taiwan changed after

11433-421: Was purged again during the Cultural Revolution , where he was sent for re-education to a May Seventh Cadre School . After Mao's death in 1976 and the rise of Deng Xiaoping afterwards, Zhu was politically rehabilitated and allowed to rejoin the CCP. He worked in the Ministry of Petroleum from 1976 to 1979, and joined the State Economic Commission, successor of the State Planning Commission, in 1979; he serves as

11544-464: Was replaced by Wen Jiabao . Wen was the only Zhu ally to appear on the subsequent nine-person CCP Politburo Standing Committee . After his retirement, Zhu withdrew from any obvious involvement in Chinese politics, but he retained ties with Tsinghua University, where he continued to make numerous visits during ceremonies and special events. In 2014, he wrote a rare public letter for the 30th anniversary of Tsinghua School of Economics and Management , but

11655-568: Was reported in Taiwanese media as a "gaffe". Zhu was chosen to become China's fifth premier in March 1998, largely due to his success in managing large macroeconomic projects. During his term Zhu continued to focus on issues related to economic development. He generally favoured stable, sustainable development supported by robust macroeconomic control measures and a tight monetary policy. He continued to promote investment in China's industrial and agricultural sectors. Early in his term he began

11766-894: Was reported to have read 16,000 letters a year, sent to him by aggrieved citizens, in order to get a better understanding of the circumstances of ordinary Chinese people. He made frequent official visits outside Beijing to inspect working conditions, especially in the south . Shortly after coming to office, in 1998, he required the People's Liberation Army to relinquish its involvement in business interests that had been making high-ranking officers and their children rich, and later barred civil servants from taking part in business enterprises. He attempted to introduce stricter, more formal oversight to keep provincial leaders from receiving kickbacks from businessmen and embezzling state funds. Zhu's investigations into official corruption led to his discovery of numerous large-scale misdeeds by provincial officials. After discovering that 25.8 billion RMB allocated for

11877-537: Was successful in reducing the size of the official bureaucracy by half by the end of his term in 2003, though the bureaucracies in districts far from the capital continued to expand, leading to increased tension between some local governments and the farmers whose income supports them. His reform of state-owned enterprises led to approximately 35% of their workforce, forty million workers, being laid off over five years. Zhu introduced limited reforms in China's housing system, allowing residents to own their own apartments for

11988-472: Was the first high-profile group from China to visit the United States since the suppression of the 1989 protests. Some of the officials Zhu met on the visit included Richard Nixon , Henry Kissinger , Bob Dole , and Nancy Pelosi . During the visit Zhu gave unscripted speeches in Chinese and English, and was praised by American journalists, politicians, and business leaders for his frankness, openness, energy, and technical background. Although he demonstrated

12099-414: Was to deal with China's four colossal state-owned banks, which had accumulated billions of dollars in nonperforming loans due to profligate local lending to unprofitable state-owned enterprises (SOEs). He quarantined these bad loans in newly created "asset-management companies", and recapitalized the banks through government bonds in a restructuring strategy. After his promotion to premier in 1998, Zhu saved

12210-432: Was to regain central control over the country's burgeoning yet dangerously decentralized tax revenues. Before reforming China's tax system he went in person to each province in China to sell a new "tax sharing" idea modeled on the U.S. federal tax system . Under this new policy, revenue from provinces would go first to Beijing, and then portions would be returned to the provinces. Following the introduction of this tax system,

12321-461: Was unrealistic and unnecessary, and many of his promises were left unfulfilled. Zhu retired in 2003 and has not been a public figure since. Zhu Rongji was born in Changsha , Hunan , on 23 October 1928 to a family of intellectuals and wealthy landowners. According to family tradition, his family was descended from Zhu Yuanzhang , the first emperor of the Ming dynasty . His father died before he

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