China has announced a reduction and in some cases, a total cancellation of debts that will mature in 2010, owed it by some poor African countries. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is said to have made the pledge at the ongoing Millennium Development Goals Summit in New York. He also announced a number of initiatives to help developing countries in general meet the MDGs including the continued provision of preferential loans and credit support. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said the next five years is critical in fulfilling the MDGs and urged the global community to put emphasis on helping Africa shake off poverty. China, he adds, will also build 200 schools for developing countries, dispatch 3,000 medical experts, and train 5,000 medical personnel for them. It will further donate 14 million dollars to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria and expand the scope of products and countries which enjoy zero-tariff to China. US President Barack Obama meanwhile has called for radical change to meet the MDG’s, giving more help to nations which help themselves. Source: Joy Business/Ghana