Central Africa on the the Belt and Road | Career | Belt

On June 29, at the Changsha International Convention and Exhibition Center, guests passed in front of the exhibition hall of the high-quality "the Belt and Road" achievements jointly built by China and Africa. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Yehua

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, July 2

Xinhua News Agency reporters Meng Jia, Wang Guansen, and Liu Fangzhou

One cooperation project after another has been implemented, and one agreement policy has been gradually promoted... This year marks the 10th anniversary of the proposal to jointly build the "the Belt and Road" initiative, the policy concept of "sincerity, affinity and sincerity" to Africa, and the correct concept of righteousness and benefit. Over the past 10 years, China and Africa have worked hand in hand and continuously expanded their cooperation areas.

The Third China Africa Economic and Trade Expo, with the theme of "seeking common development and sharing the future", was held in Changsha from June 29th to July 2nd. People from all countries gathered on the land of Sanxiang to plan for building a high-level community with a shared future for China and Africa. This is the largest economic and trade cooperation platform under the framework of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, and also a window to showcase the vitality of China Africa cooperation and the profound friendship between the Chinese and African people to the outside world.

"The Road is Long and the Repair is Long": The Teacher Apprentice Relationship in Central Africa on the Railway

On May 23rd, in Nairobi, Kenya, Jiang Liping and student Horace walked past a Mombasa Nairobi railway locomotive with the slogan "Connecting the Country to Prosperity" printed on it. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Guansen

Xu Zhengang, who is on vacation in China, is the head of the Rolling Stock Department of the Africa Star Railway Operation Company, responsible for the maintenance, preparation, and operation management of locomotives and vehicles on the Mombasa Nairobi Railway. He, who has been stationed in Kenya for 7 years, said he "has returned, but his heart is still there.".

In March of this year, while on duty on the train, the driver of the locomotive and vehicle department, John, and the deputy driver Joseph, discovered that the water flow formed by heavy rainfall had damaged the basic structure of the line. They immediately reported the danger and avoided the accident. "This is the content we have taught, and I am glad that they can apply it to their work." Xu Zhengang is proud of the growth of his disciples.

Many Chinese railway workers in Africa help local people master railway technology, and they are known for their mentor apprentice relationship, composing a beautiful friendship on the railway.

In mid July, Ji Hongyan, the Deputy Minister of Industry and Electricity of the company, is about to depart and return to Kenya. "I have prepared jasmine tea for my old friend Lawrence, who loves this type of Chinese tea very much." Lawrence was his apprentice when he worked in a railway workshop in Mongolia, and they have known each other for 6 years.

From trainees to class leaders, technical supervisors, and workshop directors, Lawrence was gradually led by Ji Hongyan, and their relationship has long changed from a master apprentice to a friend. Lawrence sends me blessing messages on some Chinese festivals, which makes Ji Hongyan, who is living in a foreign land, feel even more warm.

Infrastructure cooperation is the traditional advantage of China Africa economic and trade cooperation, and also the highlight of China Africa high-quality joint construction of the "the Belt and Road". This year's China Africa Economic and Trade Fair is the first to set up a high-quality "the Belt and Road" achievement exhibition between China and Africa. Today, China has signed cooperation documents with 52 African countries and the AU Commission to jointly build the "the Belt and Road".

A batch of China Africa infrastructure cooperation projects were signed at the Forum on China Africa Infrastructure Cooperation, covering 19 contracts signed on site in the fields of China's engineering contracting and investment in Africa, with a total signed project amount exceeding 2.9 billion US dollars.

The signing and implementation of these projects not only promote economic development and improve people's livelihoods in Africa, but also provide local employment opportunities and talent growth opportunities.

"I hope to teach everything to my disciples so that I can rest assured when the Mombasa Nairobi Railway is handed over as a whole," Ji Hongyan said with sincere emotions in his simple words.

"Food is paramount to the people": China and Africa work together to ensure food safety in Africa

On June 12th, villagers were fetching water by Lake Victoria in Tanzania. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Guansen

Walking on the loess road of Mwanza, with a plastic bucket for fetching water above my head, as the car passed by, dust and sand rose up. It was unclear whether to cover my mouth and nose first or to quickly block the newly collected water. Once upon a time, this was Kelvin's daily life with his family. Nowadays, with the gradual improvement of water facilities, the local water use situation has improved.

Kelvin was born in Mwanza Province, Tanzania, and his past memories include difficulty in ensuring water supply and frequent health issues. After completing his studies, he joined China Soil East Africa Co., Ltd. as a quality inspection engineer and worked with Chinese colleagues to solve the water supply problem in his hometown.

According to Ning Yunfeng, the General Manager of East Africa Water Affairs in China, the company has built 7 water plants and 1 sewage plant in Tanzania. In the next two years, 4 water plants and 1 sewage plant will be put into operation.

In June, Kelvin and colleagues dug ditches and buried pipes in Misongwe City, Mwanza Province, to introduce clean water into residents' homes. "In the past, we had to leave at 6 o'clock in the morning to go to the well to fetch water, and it would take at least 7 hours to go back and forth. If there were many people queuing up, we would have to wait even longer." Local resident Mariam said, "The smooth water supply has provided great convenience for our lives."

Kelvin is very pleased to be able to solve the water problem for his hometown. The generous assistance from my Chinese colleagues has improved the life in my hometown and expanded my horizons. In the future, he will continue to work here to ensure the safety of drinking water for more residents.

While focusing on water use, China has constantly strengthened scientific and technological cooperation with countries along the "the Belt and Road", hoping to drive local agricultural production and increase farmers' income.

Professor Xiong Youcai from the School of Ecology at Lanzhou University has visited African countries multiple times to conduct experiments, demonstrations, and promotion of dryland agricultural technology. His team has established a demonstration area in Kenya and used field micro catchment technology to plant corn. This technology has improved field productivity, and the corn planting yield in the demonstration area has increased by 90% to 240%.

In the 2018 China Africa Ten Major Cooperation Plans for Industry Promotion Action, China proposed to support Africa in achieving basic food security by 2030, and to work with Africa to develop and implement the China Africa Agricultural Modernization Cooperation Plan and Action Plan.

"Moisturizing Things Silently": Central and African Youth Helping to Cultivate African Technical Talents

On June 13th, Calvin and Ning Yunfeng inspected the high-level reservoir. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Guansen

27 year old Gwende runs an electric power construction and maintenance company in Burkina Faso. When it comes to his experience of starting a company, he believes that the Chinese vocational education expert group has provided him with great help.

In 2018, the Training Center of Hunan Provincial Department of Commerce and Hunan Vocational College of Foreign Trade dispatched 7 vocational education experts and professional technical experts to Burkina Faso for on-site teacher training and management guidance. Ge Wende is one of the students studying electrical engineering.

"The practical training and teaching of Chinese experts have enabled me to understand many advanced technologies, and I have become increasingly proficient in installation, troubleshooting, repair, and other aspects." Ge Wende participated in the vocational skills competition organized by the China Vocational Education Expert Group in 2019. He successfully won the award for his outstanding performance, and this bonus also provided financial support for his founding of the company.

"Through this educational model, students can quickly master a skill and find corresponding jobs." Ge Wende said, "Thanks to Chinese experts for carrying out vocational education."

The Sino African Vocational Education Cooperation Seminar was held during the China Africa Economic and Trade Expo. Government officials from both China and Africa, as well as representatives from relevant universities and industry enterprises, discussed the cooperation in vocational education between China and Africa to assist in the cultivation of technical talents in Africa, promote the localization of Chinese enterprises in Africa, and improve the vocational and technical skills of local employees.

Che Weijian works at Guangdong Construction Vocational and Technical College and has previously provided teaching and training support at China Zambia Vocational and Technical College. Not only does it participate in the management of various affairs of Zhongzan Vocational College, but the dispatched teachers also teach Chinese courses. "Chinese classes are very popular, and working in Chinese companies is a goal for many students," she said.

Edward Boateng, Director of Ghana's State Asset Management Administration, stated that countries around the world attach great importance to the development of vocational education, and China's vocational education model provides useful reference for educational reform in African countries. The prospects for cooperation in vocational education between China and Africa are broad.

"Teaching people to fish" is also "teaching people to fish". The exchanges and mutual learning between China and Africa continue to deepen, and the sincere friendship between the Chinese and African people continues to heat up. China Africa cooperation is taking a new step forward.