The People’s Republic of China on Wednesday affirmed its commitment to the realization of a number of Chinese- assisted projects in Ghana this year.
Consequently, the visiting Chinese Commerce Minister, Mr Cheng Denning, who called on President John Evans Atta Mills at the Osu Castle in Accra, would be holding further bilateral discussions with the relevant Ministers on such projects.
China is assisting the Government of Ghana in the development of infrastructure, water, oil and gas, an additional national stadium and the development of a modern market complex in Cape Coast, as well development of two public universities.
Government has declared 2011 as Year of Action in which there would be massive infrastructure development and give job creation a boost.
Most of these projects would be assisted with Chinese funds, following investment and development assistance brokered during President Mills’ state visit to China last year, which also marked the Golden Jubilee of relations between Accra and Beijing.
President Mills told the Chinese Commerce Minister that Ghana cherished her relations with the Asian nation.
He commended China for standing behind Ghana through thick and thin at a time when others had abandoned her.
The President added that Ghana would want to build on the areas of co-operation between the two nations for their mutual benefit.
President Mills informed the delegation that the State of the Nation Address, which would be delivered to Parliament on Thursday, would highlight how the Chinese were assisting Government to realise planned development projects.
The President recalled the bond of friendship and solidarity between him and Chinese President Hu Jintao, when they both served as Vice Presidents of their respective countries.
With fond memories of an invitation he sent for a state visit to the then Chinese Veep in the third year of his period as Vice President he sent a similar invitation to his Chinese counterpart to visit Ghana this year or some time later.
President Mills observed that Ghanaians were justified in having high expectations from his Government and gave the assurance that the government had something good for all Ghanaians.
Mr Denning said the delegation was on a three nation African tour.
He said China was exploring ways for further co-operation with Ghana.
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Hannah Tetteh, called for a halt to the huge trade imbalance between the two nations estimated at over one billion dollars in favour of China.
Ms Tetteh called for an increase in Foreign Direct Investment which, she said, had been over 100 million dollars in the last decade.
She called on China to go beyond investment in the extractive industries to embrace agriculture, agricultural processing and value addition.
Dr Kwabena Duffuor, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, said about six billion dollars would be accessed from China for various programmes this year.
He said about 562 million dollars had been received from China for the Bui Dam Project.
He attributed the inflow of assistance to the Government’s ability to restore stability in the economy.