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Together against crisis

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-02-10 07:49

President Hu Jintao sets off today for Saudi Arabia, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, and Mauritius with missions that go far beyond China's bilateral relations with those countries.

Maintaining and furthering bilateral friendship and cooperation is important. Saudi Arabia has risen to become China's largest trade partner in the Middle East since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1990.

China's record of mutual support and assistance with Mali and Tanzania goes back nearly five decades. China and Mauritius have also enriched their contacts through trade, culture, and tourism.

China and Senegal resumed official relations in 2005 after a suspension of nine years, and have already taken concrete steps together.

Discussing bilateral issues and signing new agreements will surely help boost China's friendship and cooperation with these countries in the coming years.

However, President Hu Jintao's visit comes against the backdrop of a global economic slowdown, which is still spreading. Exchanging views with his counterparts on ways to cushion the impact of the economic slowdown on developing countries will be at the top of his agenda.

His mission is all the more important because no country is immune to the global economic recession. Developing countries are especially vulnerable; the question is not whether they will be affected, but how severely.

China's exported-oriented manufacturing sector has already been hurt. Thousands of businesses have shut down and some 20 million migrant workers have lost their jobs.

For Saudi Arabia., the damage may be limited to a slump in oil revenue. For other countries, the effects will be more far-reaching.

Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete told a rally last week that the economic downturn is devastating local economies, as tourism slumps and cotton growers have no buyers for their crop.

It is encouraging that instead of waiting for more bad news, President Hu and his counterparts have called on the world to limit the adverse effect of the economic crisis on the developing countries and have taken measures to maintain growth.

Above all, they have shown a determination to join hands to find ways to collaborate in times of crisis.

As King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud said during the G-20 economic summit in Washington last November, "This global economic crisis, which is unprecedented in terms of scope, character, the speed of its spread, and the dangers it poses, underscores the importance of international coordination and cooperation to find appropriate solutions to the crisis and its effects."

This determination and willingness to cooperate bodes well for President Hu's five-nation tour.

(China Daily 02/10/2009 page8)