Zuma calls African trade ties with China "unsustainable"

South African president Jacob Zuma remarked at the China-Africa Forum in Beijing that the unbalanced nature of trade ties with China is “unsustainable” in the longer term, Financial Times reported. “Africa’s past economic experience with Europe dictates a need to be cautious when entering into partnerships with other economies,” he added. Zuma made his remarks following President Hu Jintao’s announcement that China would double the loan it extended to African nations in 2009 to US$20 billion. Critics of the China-Africa relationship have accused the world’s second-largest economy of exploiting Africa’s natural resources. In an effort to rebalance trade ties, China launched several zero-tariff rates for a wider range of African products and vowed to host more trade expos to showcase African products. China also pledged greater cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, cultural and academic exchanges.