Legal forum seeks to boost China-Africa cooperation

JOHANNESBURG - The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Legal Forum was held in Johannesburg on Thursday with attorneys from African countries and China seeking ways to support the relationship.

Addressed the gathering, Director General of Overseas Liaison of the China Law Society, Dr Guo Zhaomin said China is willing to share knowledge and best practices with African friends.

He noted that China has signed the New York Convention and practices laws which are in line with the International Criminal Court and international practice. "We have an urgent task to complement the China-Africa relations as the legal fraternity. We have to observe the world from a legal fraternity. Some laws, rules and regulations are not just and fair to the developing world. These have to be reformed to reflect the reality and need of the developing countries,"Guo said.

He said the upcoming FOCAC Summit will present an opportunity for new opportunities.

"The summit will enhance relationship between China and Africa and explore new opportunities," he said.

On the legal side there is an opportunity for twining legal practice and helping each other in the study of law, Guo said.

Yang Keqin, head of the China Law Society delegation, who is also the Chief Procurator of Peoples' Procuratorate of Jilin Province, pinned great hope on FOCAC. He called on the legal society to support the China-Africa relations.

"China and Africa have had good relationship since the 1950s and we have to build on this. The FOCAC Legal Forum is part of FOCAC and we have to use this mechanism comprehensively to further research, legal service and deepen cooperation," Yang said,

He added that the legal forum should strive to assist the realisation of a "win-win situation and shared destiny" between China and Africa.

Chinese and African lawyers, he said, should share knowledge and expertise in the legal field.

Dr Joao Maria Moreira de Sousa, the Angolan Attorney General, called for further engagement to improve his country's relations with China.

He said,"The world appears to be globalised in many areas, and companies approach each other and do business despite geographical location. This calls for our close cooperation to assist business to develop. The Legal Forum forms an important part of China-Africa relationship."

De Sousa said the Chinese assistance has helped the movement of people and development in Africa.

Johannes Tomana, the Prosecutor General in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs in Zimbabwe, called on African countries to have faith in China.

"While in Zimbabwe I asked them (Chinese lawyers) to expose five of my legal officer into how to do business in the Chinese legal field. Within a short space of time they came back and agreed to do that. I asked them again while in Angola, again they did not disappoint me. I encourage my African brothers to communicate and have a beneficial exchange with China,"said Tomana.

The continuous engagement, he said, would assist the Sino-Africa relationship.

Advocate Andrew Chauke, representative of the National Director of Public Prosecutions in South Africa, said it is time for Africa and China review, expedite and expand cooperation.