China truly understands the needs of African countries
2024-07-12
In the early morning, on the coast of Bissau, the capital of Guinea Bissau, fishing boats loaded with fish sailed back to the Banding fishing dock. People with joyful expressions were busy unloading fish, shrimp, and other seafood from the ship. The nearby seafood market is bustling with activity. A fisherman told reporters, "With this dock built with Chinese aid, it's more convenient for us to go out to sea and our income is much better than before
In recent years, China and Guinea Bissau have joined hands to promote pragmatic cooperation, and the development of the blue economy is a microcosm. Cooperation in various fields is bringing tangible benefits to the people of the two countries, from the continued dispatch of medical teams, agricultural technology groups, and the OECD to the signing of the memorandum of understanding on the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road".
On July 10th, the relationship between China and Guinea Bissau reached a new starting point.
China is a good partner of African countries
Guinea Bissau is located on the west coast of Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and has abundant fishery resources. In May 2023, the Banding Fishery Terminal project, which was assisted by China, was handed over. During recent interviews at the dock, reporters often encountered locals waving friendly greetings.
The representative office of Zhongshui Group Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd. is located near the Banding Fishery Terminal. In the view of local employee Isumela Jalo, this is a livelihood project, and "fishing is one of the pillar industries of Guinea Bissau. China's support has truly benefited the people from our country's fishing resources.
Jialuo told reporters that Chinese companies have taught local fishermen modern fishing techniques and created new job opportunities. Many aquatic products from Guinea Bissau are sold to the Chinese market, allowing the Chinese people to taste the taste of the Atlantic, which is a win-win situation.
What China has brought to African countries are cooperative projects that benefit the African people, such as schools, hospitals, and roads, "President Enballo said during the meeting.
China truly understands the needs of African countries and is a good partner of African countries, "said Diamantino Lopez, a professor and sociologist at the University of Lusofona in Guinea Bissau, to Xinhua News Agency. It is the traditional friendship that spans half a century that has laid a solid foundation for the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides today. China's assistance in cultivating talents in education, health, agriculture and other fields in Guinea Bissau is particularly important for the country's development.
Bring hope to our lives
In July, the rice harvest in the Bafata region of Guinea Bissau was abundant. The rice harvest during the dry season has been completed, leaving clusters of rice piles in the field. Local farmer Acosto is busy preparing for the next season of sowing.
Bafata is located in the central northern part of Jibi, and the winding Reba River flows through this area. Rice is an important agricultural crop in the country, but the food shortage caused by low yields has long plagued this West African 'tropical water town'. The Akodo family has been farming for generations. They used to grow rice using traditional methods, but their harvest was less than 150 kilograms per mu per season, making it difficult to support their family of six with food income.
Nowadays, the yield of his rice paddies per mu has reached 550 kilograms. Chinese experts have brought us seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, machinery, and technology, and taught me step by step how to scientifically plant rice, bringing hope to our lives! "Acosto was full of gratitude." I bought a new motorcycle, and my four children can wear new clothes to school now
Since 1998, the Chinese Agricultural Technology Expert Group has been rooted in the Bafata region and has dispatched over 230 experts. They carry out rice breeding and high-yield cultivation demonstrations in the local area, organize training on rice planting techniques and agricultural machinery maintenance techniques, etc., to help local people increase rice production and enrich the "rice bag".
Zheng Junjie, the leader of the 11th agricultural expert group stationed in Jibi, introduced that the expert group has introduced and screened 37 rice varieties in Jibi in this period. In three regions, including Bafata, rice production has increased from 1.4 tons per hectare to 4.9 tons, with an average yield of 8.5 tons per hectare and a maximum yield of 10 tons per hectare in the demonstration area. This has led to an increase in the rice planting area in China from 60000 hectares to 100000 hectares.
Antonio Tavares, the president of the Guinea Bissau Rice Association, studied in China for 9 years and obtained a master's degree in agriculture. Tavares told reporters that agricultural cooperation between the two countries has introduced advanced technology and excellent rice varieties to the local area, improving the living standards of rice farmers.
Recalling his time studying in China, Tavares' most unforgettable experience was meeting Yuan Longping at the Hybrid Rice Center in Changsha, Hunan. "He was so kind and amiable, and even personally went to the fields to demonstrate rice planting techniques for us.
The Joint Statement on Establishing Strategic Partnership between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Guinea Bissau, released on the 10th, mentioned that both sides agreed to accelerate the export of high-quality agricultural products from Guinea Bissau, such as cashews, to China and explore local processing.
We have been looking forward to this good news for a long time, "said Mamadou Djamanka, President of the Guinea Bissau Import and Export Association. Local cashew nuts have good quality and are an important source of income for farmers, but due to outdated processing technology and a single export channel, they often face difficulties such as low prices and unsold goods. At the China International Import Expo, Jibi's cashew nut products received widespread praise.
We are very excited about the huge Chinese market and look forward to collaborating with Chinese companies to help increase the added value of local products and benefit more local people, "said Jamanka.
Our friendship with China is deeply rooted in people's hearts
At the China Guinea Friendship Hospital located in Bissau, the flags of China and Guinea are fluttering in the wind in front of the hospital building. In May 2023, President Enballo collectively awarded the "National Medal of Honor for Cooperation and Development" to China's 19th batch of aid to Guinea Bissau medical teams. This medal is a recognition of China's 60 years of medical aid to foreign countries and a testimony to the deep friendship between China and Guinea.
The patients here all love and trust Chinese doctors very much, "said local doctor Biosum. He often sees patients give thumbs up and express gratitude to Chinese doctors.
29 year old farmer Silva has been suffering from back pain for a long time and has tried many methods but the results are not satisfactory. At the China Guinea Bissau Friendship Hospital, Silva relieved his symptoms through several acupuncture and moxibustion treatments. After the treatment, he excitedly held the doctor's hand and said, "Thank you, Chinese doctor
Lamario Kunda, the director of China Guinea Friendship Hospital, said that Chinese doctors have brought advanced medical technology and practical experience, and actively helped local medical personnel improve their skills. We have learned a lot from them. Thank you to China, thank you to the friendship between the two countries
In May of this year, 17 members of the 20th batch of Chinese aid medical team arrived in the area. Captain Pang Yong told reporters that the medical team's mission is to impart technology and knowledge, and is committed to improving the local medical situation, treating local patients, and safeguarding the health of the people of Jibi.
In Bissau, there is also a school named after friendship. Boubacar Dabo, the principal of the Guinea Bissau Friendship School, excitedly said that in the more than ten years since its completion, the school has often received teaching facilities such as backpacks, stationery, desks and chairs donated by the Chinese Embassy and Chinese enterprises. It is difficult to find such a school nationwide. Schools are not only a platform for educational cooperation between the two countries, but also a bond that brings the friendship between the two peoples closer
Our friendship with China is deeply rooted in people's hearts - China is our good brother and partner, "said Tete Sambu, a policy expert at the Ministry of Agriculture of Guinea Bissau. Sangbu has visited China multiple times to participate in agricultural training and act as a bridge for agricultural cooperation projects between the two countries. He is a witness to the friendly cooperation between the two countries and looks forward to the younger generation of the two countries continuing to inherit friendship and explore cooperation.
Edit：He Chuanning Responsible editor：Su Suiyue
Source：Xinhua
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