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Ghana�s Former President, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings says the world has a grand opportunity with certain world leaders in place, to exercise her moral mandate provided corrupters and warmongers can contained. In an address delivered at the first meeting of the China-Africa Think Tank Forums in Hangzhou, China, President Rawlings said the world previously missed an opportunity because of "the historical misalignment" of the presidency of Carter and Gorbachev. He said the political intrigues of international diplomacy mean China has to compete with major international interests on the African continent and counselled China to thread carefully in order to win the trust of a continent that hasfallen victim to sweet promises of developmental cooperation in the past. President Rawlings praised China for its contribution towards the peace and humanitarian processes in Somalia and urged China to �maintain a strong position on Africa at the United Nations Security Council, lobby its members to confront African peace initiatives in a non-confrontational manner and seek economic support to stem the tide of under-development that ignites many of the conflicts on the continent.� The China-Africa Think Tanks Forum is a platform for exchange and dialogue between Chinese and African think tanks so that such bodies can play a more active role in promoting Sino-African relations. Below is the full text of President Rawlings� address. ADDRESS BY H.E. JERRY JOHN RAWLINGS, FORMER PRESIDENT OF GHANA AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE CHINA-AFRICA THINK TANKS FORUM � HANGZHOU, OCTOBER 27, 2011