Ghana-China celebrate 50-years of diplomatic relations

Accra, July 17, GNA - Ghana and China, on Friday renewed their commitments to further deepening and strengthening the existing warm bilateral ties as well as the expansion of the scope of economic and technical cooperation between them.
Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, and Mr Zhao Shiren, Counsellor in-charge of Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in Accra, made the commitments on Saturday.
They issued statements on behalf of their respective countries when they jointly opened a photo exhibition and reception in Accra, to celebrate 50-years of Ghana-China diplomatic relations.
The exhibition, co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and the Chinese Embassy in Accra, formed part of activities to celebrate 50-years of Ghana-China diplomatic relations, which was on the theme: "Friendship, Cooperation and Development."
The event that was attended by peoples of both countries and some members of the diplomatic corpse, showcased historic photos from present to as far back as 1960s, of some projects as well as government and private sector leaders, who blazed the trail to ensure that diplomatic relations between both countries remained intact.
Diplomatic relations between Ghana and China started in early 1960s through the instrumentality of Ghana's first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
He undertook three high level official visits to China in 1960, which was reciprocated by the Chinese Premier, Zhou Enlai's visit to Ghana in 1964, a situation which has been maintained and sustained by successive governments of both countries.
Alhaji Mumuni said "Ghana appreciates her unique relationship with China" and that the country was proud to be a privileged partner of China and was also determined to learn from her economic success story.
He said that the Government and people of Ghana were grateful to China for the invaluable assistance she has provided over the years towards Ghana's socio-economic development.
Alhaji Mumuni said that the support was in areas of infrastructural development, technical cooperation, financial assistance and co-operation in agriculture, health and commerce.
He cited the Bui Dam, National Theatre, new Ministry of Defence building as some of the projects China has either undertaken or was executing.
Alhaji Mumuni called on "Chinese businessmen to take advantage of Ghana's Export Free Zone Enclave, the ongoing vast and encouraging oil exploration, excellent sea and air connection and improved infrastructural network to increase their importation of food items, horticultural produce, jewellery, handicraft and wood carvings, chocolate and knock-down furniture from Ghana in order to ensure a fair and balanced trade between our two brotherly countries".
He appealed to Chinese industrialists to help expand and modernize Ghana's air and seaports as well as fund infrastructural projects including those involving water resources and expansion of electrical transmission systems for the mutual benefit of both countries.
Alhaji Mumuni recalled Ghana's active participation in the activities of the Forum on China/Africa Co-operation since its inception.
He said that the outcome of one such fora, which was the China/Africa Action Plan for 2010-2012, would add impetus to the ongoing Chinese projects in Ghana.
Alhaji Mumuni expressed government's appreciation to China for extending scholarships to Ghanaian students to study at higher institutions of learning in China as well as her (China) desire to dispatch to Ghana, Chinese medical team, language teachers and agricultural experts who were playing significant roles in Ghana's socio-economic development.
He anticipated that "the celebration of the 50-years of Ghana/China diplomatic relations would offer us greater opportunities for the two countries to work even closer together both at the bilateral and multilateral levels to herald a defining moment of raising our relationship to a new pedestal in the coming years".
Mr Shiren called on Ghanaians and Chinese to "always carry on and forward, working to perfect the journey for the sake of our shared destiny. Lets us join hands and work together for a better and closer China-Ghana cooperation and write a new chapter of friendship between our two peoples".
He said peoples of the two countries were galvanized by the bright future awaiting them saying "We know that our mission is yet to be accomplished and the journey cannot only be sustained by what we have achieved. It must be the calling and cause of every Chinese and Ghanaians".
Mr Shiren said China appreciated Ghana's role and that of other developing countries, which helped China to resume her legitimate seat in the Security Council of the United Nations in 1971.
He said that "these historic moments of mutual support and brotherhood are well remembered today and shall be cherished by us in the future".
Mr Shiren said the 50-year relations was "a journey of shared commitment that has led us to where we are, a journey of cooperation and mutual trust that has enhanced our bilateral ties, and a journey of brotherly friendship that has imprint in our hearts for now and for the years to come".
He said China-Ghana bilateral trade exceeded 1.6 billion dollars in 2009, and the number of projects undertaken by Chinese enterprises topped the list in Ghana, amounting to about 400 and expressed China's commitment to do more to bring tangible benefits to the society and the people.
Mr Shiren said that just as the Black Stars, Ghana's national team has demonstrated, Ghana as a country would surely excel in every aspect of human endeavour in the West African sub-region and the international community at large.