Chinese Ambassador in Cameroon, Xue Jinwei, yesterday held discussions with Badel Ndanga Ndinga.

Cameroon and China are devising new ways of partnership through which industrialisation and particularly the mining sector could receive a boost for the mutual benefits of both countries. This was the focus of discussions yesterday between the Chinese Ambassador to Cameroon, Xue Jinwei, and Cameroon's Minister of Industries, Mines and Technological Development, Badel Ndanga Ndinga. This was during a courtesy visit paid the Minister by the Chinese diplomat.

Speaking to the press after the conclave with Mr Ndanga Ndinga, Xue Jinwei said although his visit was for courtesy, it equally gave him and the Minister the opportunity to chat new ways of Cameroon/China partnership. "We discussed cooperation between our two countries and particularly in the industrial and mining sectors", he said. Against a backdrop of plans to effectively take giant mining projects off the ground, following the Head of State's announcement during his end-of-year address to the nation on December 31, 2010, the Chinese diplomat said industrialisation and mining are levers to any sustainable economic development. Partnering in these sectors, he added, will not only cement the already existing cordial ties between Cameroon and China, but will also accelerate economic development. "We have projects in these sectors under study and there are many opportunities for cooperation given that we are pursuing the same goal", Mr Xue Jinwei said, stressing that they are projects in iron exploration and construction of assembly plants. All these, he said, to accompany government in its vision of making Cameroon an emerging economy by 2035.

The Chinese are piloting industrial and mining projects in the country notably the Bamenda automobile assembly plant through its consortium; China General Technology Group Holding Company Ltd (GENENTECH) and the Mongmamel (Kribi) iron ore exploration.