Leon H. Sullivan Foundation	NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release September 19, 2007 Contact: Nichet Smith 202.736.2239 [email protected]
U.S. and China Can Cooperate in Africa Finds Trilateral Dialogue Delegation

WASHINGTON D.C. – The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation, in partnership with the Council on Foreign Relations, the Brenthurst Foundation of South Africa, and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, has successfully completed the third phase of its Trilateral Dialogue. This unique initiative has enabled representatives from Africa to set the context for the discussion with Chinese and American delegations on the relationship between China and the U.S. and how it can be leveraged to the benefit of Africa’s economic development. The Trilateral Dialogue established that contrary to popular perception, the U.S. and China can cooperate to help Africa achieve its goals.

“There is no fundamental strategic conflict between the U.S. and China in Africa….there is room for cooperation,” said Professor Yang Guang, chair for the Chinese Delegation.

The three delegations agreed that “peace and security are prerequisites for stability and economic development.” As attention towards Africa continues to increase, Africa has a  unique opportunity to “own its development” through enhanced competition for its resources managed under democratic practices as evidenced in the African Union, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development and the African Peer Review Mechanism.

 “We all agree that the cooperative approach to our collective engagement is a good thing. This will benefit Africa’s goals and aspirations,” noted Howard F. Jeter, President & CEO of the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation. “Key focus areas for cooperation could be value-added agriculture, peace and security, and corporate social responsibility.”

Highlighting the success of the Trilateral Dialogue as a civil society discussion, the delegations agreed that it should lay the way for official discussions between China, Africa and the U.S. on key issues pertinent to the partners.

There were also areas in which the delegations agreed that there were divergences of opinion. According to the summary document released at the conclusion of the meeting, “the U.S. tends to condition assistance on the existence of democracy and provides direct assistance for democracy building,” while “China does not precondition its assistance on the existence of democracy and places more emphasis on a balance among reform, stability and development.”

Three delegations, one each  from China, Africa and  the U.S., were composed of academics, researchers, former policy-makers and business executives, meeting first in Tswalu, South Africa, August 2006, next in Beijing, China, February 2007, and lastly in Washington, D.C., September 2007.

The three delegations were chaired by Ambassador Andrew Young and Ambassador Princeton Lyman (Leon H. Sullivan Foundation and Council on Foreign Relations, respectively), Professor Yang Guang (Chinese Academy of Social Sciences), and Dr. William Lyakurwa (Africa Economic Research Consortium).

For more information on the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation and the Trilateral Dialogue, please call 202.736.2239 or visit www.thesullivanfoundation.org .

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