The main objective of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group's high-level visit to the People's Republic of China led by its President, Donald Kaberuka, is to strengthen relations between the two partners that share similar perspectives on Africa's future.

The 3-6 February 2010 mission will also provide the Bank Group's President and his delegation an opportunity to gain fist-hand knowledge on China's phenomenal economic growth and industrial expansion in the past decade.

AfDB-China bilateral cooperation dates back to 1996, eleven years after Beijing joined the Bank Group. Since then, China has provided support to the Bank Group's institutional activities, projects, programmes and technical assistance operations in Africa, through the People's Bank of China, the China Development Bank, the Export - Import Bank of China and the recently established China-Africa Development Fund with a US$14.59 million initial contribution hosted by the AfDB.

So far, the country has participated in eight replenishments of the African Development Fund (ADF), the concessional window of the Bank Group, and pledged a total contribution of US$ 486 million, including a US$ 122 million to ADF XI (2008-2010). Both the regional and non-regional members of the Bank Group severally acknowledge and commend Beijing's contribution to Africa's development and poverty reduction efforts.

China joined the ADF's Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative in 2006 and submitted the instruments of commitment for 2006-2007 and 2008-2015 with a contribution of UA 18.71 million.

The Bank Group's 2007 Annual Meetings in Shanghai, the institutions' first major event in Asia, is considered to be a high point serving as an occasion to highlight the ideas of both parties for the continent's development.

China's Governor and Chair of the Board of Governors, Zhou Xiaochuan, aptly described the meetings as the starting point in the intensification of cooperation with the Bank Group as well as promoting development agenda in Africa.

Prime Minister Wen Jiabao was even more forthright on the importance of AfDB-China-Africa relations in his welcome speech where he urged developed countries to deliver on their pledged assistance to Africa; take effective measures to reduce or cancel African debt; improve trade terms, facilitate market access for Africa and promote technology transfer; thus helping the continent to build adequate capacity for self development. He also assured the audience that the Chinese government and people were committed to peace and development in Africa.

AfDB-China cooperation and the nation's relations with African countries have taken a quantum leap in various areas since the Shanghai meetings.

These are among the key issues President Kaberuka and his team will discuss during talks with Chinese political and financial authorities including China Central Bank Governor and leaders of the Export-Import Bank of China (Exim-Bank).

The delegation is also scheduled to visit Shenzhen City, capital of new technology development in southern China.