Pragmatic cooperation between China and Africa brings new opportunities (international discourse)

Recently, experts from Africa attended a training course on desertification control in Xinjiang, China. The picture shows Chinese technicians introducing desert plants to African students at the Botanical Garden in the hinterland of the Taklamakan Desert.

Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhou Shengbin

Recently, China Africa cooperation has steadily advanced and reached a new level. Recently, during the 15th meeting of BRICS leaders, a dialogue meeting between China and Africa was held. After the meeting, the Chinese side released three measures: the "Support for African Industrialization Initiative", the "China Assistance for African Agricultural Modernization Plan", and the "China Africa Talent Training Cooperation Plan".

The promotion of pragmatic cooperation and upgrading between China and Africa has attracted attention from foreign media. Foreign media have commented that China Africa cooperation brings tangible and lasting benefits to both sides, and will also inject new momentum into global development.

A reliable and sincere friend

The website of Venezuela's Southern Television noted that in the joint statement released at the China Africa Leaders' Dialogue, China expressed its willingness to support Africa in strengthening trade integration and assisting the process of regional economic integration in Africa. According to the report, the two sides will continue to promote the high-quality co construction of the "the Belt and Road" cooperation between China and Africa, closely connect with the 2063 Agenda of the African Union and the development strategies of African countries, and promote the upgrading of China Africa cooperation.

Gerald Mbanda, a senior media figure from Rwanda, was deeply impressed by the keynote speech of Chinese leaders at the China Africa Leaders Dialogue. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the proposal to jointly build the "the Belt and Road" initiative, the policy concept of sincerity, sincerity and sincerity towards Africa, and the correct concept of righteousness and benefit. Gerald Mbanda stated that in the past 10 years, China has participated in the construction of over 6000 kilometers of railways, over 6000 kilometers of roads, and over 80 large-scale power facilities in Africa, creating a large number of employment opportunities for African people and effectively promoting the economic development of African countries. He believed that the keynote speech of Chinese leaders "injected new impetus into the high-quality joint construction of the" the Belt and Road "between Africa and China".

Nowadays, the friendship between China and Africa has grown into a towering tree with lush branches and leaves under the hard work of both sides. Practical cooperation has yielded fruitful results and won widespread recognition and praise from the African people.

In my country, the Gambia, the promotion of African China friendship for local social development is vividly reflected through a series of major projects. Gambian Radio and Television journalist Janki Toure has witnessed a large number of successful cases of China Africa cooperation in fields such as healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, and education in recent years. China has dispatched medical teams to Bansan Hospital to benefit local patients with kindness and skill; The independent sports stadium in Gambia, built with Chinese assistance, will integrate rich ethnic characteristics with advanced Chinese technology; Chinese agricultural experts have injected momentum into the development and progress of agriculture in the Gambia, especially in the field of rice cultivation; The scholarships provided by China have given many Gambian scholars the opportunity to pursue doctoral degrees and promote cultural exchanges between the two countries... Janqi Toure said that China has always been a reliable and sincere friend of African countries.

According to Barcelona, the editor in chief of the Togo News, last year, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Togo and China, major media outlets such as the Togo News published a large number of reports on cooperation between Togo and China in areas such as economy, trade, culture, technology, and health. Barcelona has expressed that African people are very concerned about China's development and news of Africa China cooperation.

Natural partners

The report on China Africa Economic and Trade Relations released by the International Trade and Economic Cooperation Research Institute of the Ministry of Commerce shows that China has maintained its position as Africa's largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years. In 2021, the total amount of goods trade between China and Africa reached 254.29 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 36%, the highest growth rate in nearly 10 years; In 2022, the trade of goods between China and Africa further increased to 282 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 10.9%. Among them, China's exports to Africa reached 164.49 billion US dollars and imports from Africa reached 117.51 billion US dollars.

"With the assistance of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, China and Africa have established good economic relations." According to the British Journal of African Leadership, before 2000, interaction between China and African countries mainly focused on the diplomatic field. With the official establishment of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation in 2000, trade cooperation between China and African countries has significantly increased. Nowadays, the high-quality development of economic and trade cooperation between China and Africa has brought new opportunities for both sides.

From June 29th to July 2nd, the 3rd China Africa Economic and Trade Expo was held in Changsha, Hunan. Nearly 1600 categories of goods from 29 African countries participated, an increase of 166% compared to the previous edition; The number of exhibitors reached 1500, an increase of 70% compared to the previous edition; During the Expo, a total of 120 projects were signed by all parties, with a total amount of 10.3 billion US dollars.

According to an article published on the website of American diplomats, China is an excellent opportunity for African governments and businesses seeking new export markets. China is becoming an important market in Africa.

According to the website of Kenya's National Daily, China is one of the largest sources of investment in Africa, contributing over 20% to Africa's economic growth. Nowadays, 21 African countries have enjoyed zero tariff treatment for 98% of products imported to China. Kenya must make good use of the opportunity for China to open up its market to African products and showcase investment opportunities to potential Chinese investors in multiple fields such as green energy, manufacturing, information highways, and agricultural processing.

Foreign media believe that one important reason why the path of China Africa cooperation is becoming wider and more fruitful is that China Africa relations are built on the foundation of unity, friendship, and mutual respect. China's investment and cooperation with African countries have played an important role in helping Africa's development.

The African Leadership Journal points out that in recent years, China has provided various forms of assistance to Africa. China's investment projects in Africa include large-scale infrastructure projects such as roads, ports, and power plants. China supports Africa's economic growth and regional economic integration process by helping to solve infrastructure problems. The relationship between China and Africa has become more solid as a result.

Professor of History at the University of Dakar in Senegal, Mamadou Fall, stated that the unity and mutual assistance between Africa and China have a long history. China has always insisted on providing important assistance to African countries while achieving its own development. Africa and China are natural partners, with a long-standing friendship and a solid foundation for cooperation.

A beacon of hope and progress

"The partnership between Africa and China may be one of the most transformative economic relations of the 21st century," pointed out in an article by William Blackie, CEO of the Commercial Banking Division of the Standard Bank Group in South Africa, published on EuroNet. China's extensive investment in Africa has enhanced the ability of African countries to attract global investment from other markets. According to the International Monetary Fund, the economy of sub Saharan Africa is expected to grow by 4.2% in 2024.

The article points out that in the future, Africa and China will become more important to each other. Africa needs to address the challenges that come with its growth, such as energy supply, healthcare, logistics, industrialization, etc. China will play a key role in Africa's development journey. The increasingly mature China's trade and investment in Africa, as well as the skills and technologies it brings, will provide assistance for Africa's economic and social transformation in the coming generations.

In addition, public opinion generally believes that China is the largest developing country, and Africa is the continent with the most concentrated developing countries. Stable China Africa relations and good cooperation between China and Africa will inject more new momentum into global development and bring more stability to the world.

"The mutually supportive partnership between Africa and China has been warmly welcomed by the people of various African countries and has laid the foundation for the" Vision 2035 of China Africa Cooperation ". Janqi Toure said that the" Vision 2035 of China Africa Cooperation "adopted at the 8th Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation in 2021 is a great blueprint, which not only outlines the path of long-term cooperation between China and Africa, but also emphasizes the importance of China Africa cooperation, and demonstrates the determination of both sides to work together to build a community with a shared future for China and Africa in the new era.". In the current complex international situation, Africa China cooperation is a beacon of hope and progress. The comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Africa is rooted in each other's common vision, has unlimited potential, fully reflects multilateralism, and is a progressive force in promoting globalization.

According to the website of Türkiye's Anadolu News Agency, the joint statement issued by the China Africa Leaders' Dialogue said that both sides agreed that China Africa cooperation should focus on strengthening the existing global mechanism, ensure the participation of developing countries, show inclusiveness and win global trust.

The African Leadership Journal points out that through technology transfer and promoting sustainable development, China Africa cooperation will help create a more prosperous and interconnected world.