Rawlings says Chinese technology is of high quality

Accra, Jan 12, GNA - President Jerry John Rawlings said on Wednesday that Sino-Ghanaian relations have increased over the past few years and that co-operation between the two countries should not be allowed to slacken again. "We have learnt our bitter lessons of the past.

We should not allow our relations to cool again'', he said when he granted audience to Madam Wu Yi, State Counsellor of China, at the Castle, Osu. Madam Wu is in Ghana as part of an African tour that will also take her to Benin, Togo, Botswana and Madagascar.

Ghana and China enjoyed good relations during the First Republic but relations cooled after the overthrow of late President Kwame Nkrumah and many Chinese-funded projects were abandoned. President Rawlings said since Ghana/China relations picked up again, Ghana has gained much in areas of Chinese technology and expertise.

"Technology from China is as good as those from other parts of the world and it is cheaper", he said. President Rawlings said China has come a long way from the stormy days of its formative years. "China is a great country. We want it to continue growing to be a partner with every nation and enemy to none''.

He said Ghana wants to see a healthy co-operation between developed and developing countries. "We want to see healthy international relations where rich countries will help the poor ones". "Competition in international business is healthy but it should not be done at the expense of developing countries. We do not want to see a new global order full of tension'', President Rawlings said.

Madam Wu said her country and Ghana have enjoyed good relations and that they should seek other areas of co-operation. She said President Rawlings's two visits to China helped to further strengthen their relations. "Those two visits greatly promoted bilateral co-operation". Madam Wu said China is desirous to build friendly ties with Africa and to expand Sino-African relations.

Dr John Abu, Minister of Mines and Energy, said areas China has interest in investing in include agriculture, agricultural processing and telecommunications. "Chinese investment in Ghana has been rising over the past four years and now ranks second to the United Kingdom. China is also interested in the energy sector as well as cocoa''.

Mr Victor Gbeho, Foreign Affairs Minister, said talks with the Chinese have been fruitful. "We have reviewed our relations over the past 40 years. Our relations have survived many storms''. He said Ghana is grateful for what China has done for her over the years . GNA