Hand in hand on the journey of modernization
2024-09-02
Africa, a vast continent with abundant resources, profound history, and colorful culture, was once a scar on the conscience of the world. For hundreds of years, Western colonizers have plundered and bullied here to the extreme.
Now, a new transformation has arrived. The once forgotten and failed continent has increasingly become a source of vitality and a symbol of the future.
On the journey towards modernization, there is a reliable friend, sincere partner, and close brother who empowers it, runs with it, and helps it revitalize.
China is the largest developing country in the world, and Africa is the continent with the highest concentration of developing countries. China and Africa have long formed a community with a shared future. "In 2018, President Xi Jinping made a sincere appeal at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation:" We are willing to work together with the African people to build a closer China Africa community with a shared future, and set an example for promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind
Like a fluttering flag, like a high held torch, crossing the mountains of Asia and Europe, brushing the snow of Mount Kilimanjaro, crossing the wind of Cape of Good Hope, building the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, gathering strong momentum, leading China and Africa to walk hand in hand and stride forward on the journey of modernization.
The Change of Development: Making Colorful Africa Vibrant
Since the beginning of the new era, President Xi Jinping has visited Africa five times and attended the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit twice. He has carefully planned a blueprint for cooperation with African leaders and led China and Africa to move forward firmly on the path of unity and cooperation.
In 2015, at the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, President Xi Jinping pointed out that "China and Africa have always been a community with a shared future"; At the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, President Xi Jinping called for the construction of a closer community with a shared future for China and Africa. In the new era, China's efforts to promote the construction of a community with a shared future for China and Africa have been consistent. Under the guidance of the head of state's diplomatic strategy, China Africa cooperation has yielded fruitful results, helping the African continent to change rapidly. The connotation of the community with a shared future for China and Africa is becoming increasingly rich and the path is becoming clearer.
——The African Revolution, with its magnificent waves, is a new chapter where tall buildings rise from the ground and natural barriers become interconnected.
In the "Roof of Africa" of Kilimanjaro, the highest peak at an altitude of nearly 5900 meters, "Freedom Peak", and rest camps above 3795 meters have achieved full coverage of high-speed networks, with most of the communication equipment provided by Chinese companies.
In Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa, the Magufuli Bridge, constructed by Chinese companies, will be completed and opened to traffic within this year. The residents of the lake are eagerly looking forward to reducing the crossing time from just over two hours to five minutes.
On the banks of the Nile River, the longest river in Africa, the central business district of Egypt's new administrative capital has begun to take shape, and the first batch of office buildings constructed by Chinese enterprises have been officially accepted this year.
At the southern edge of the Sahara, Africa's largest desert, builders from many countries are learning from the successful experience of China's "Three North" shelter forest project to build a "Green Great Wall" in Africa that can prevent wind and fix sand.
With the accumulation of strength, everything is invincible; with the collective wisdom, everything is accomplished. "On the vast and colorful land of Africa, China and its African partners have worked together to build" happiness roads, "" prosperous ports, "and" heart bridges, "creating countless glorious development miracles, carving out a new appearance of mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas, and extending the beautiful vision of connectivity and regional integration.
——The change of Africa is a new life of Congee, brick and tile.
In the beautiful city village near Paraku, an important cotton producing area in Benin, a villager named Donatien Ejin's family moved from a simple adobe thatched hut to a spacious and bright new brick house. Thanks to new equipment and technology from China, the local cotton farmers' harvest has been increasing year by year, and many people have built new houses and bought new cars. Village chief Yves Koba said, "Chinese experts have made the life in our beautiful city and village even more beautiful
In Morogoro Province, Tanzania, farmer Omari Hayo opened a small restaurant by growing soybeans and making soybean milk. Chinese soybean milk is a signature drink. The "Little Bean, Big Nutrition" project of China Africa cooperation has made local people fall in love with the nutritious "Chinese flavor" and live a healthier life.
Chinese agricultural experts can be seen busy in rice fields in Burundi, corn fields in Congo (Brazzaville), and fungus training courses in Rwanda all year round. China never hesitates to share its ideas, experiences, and opportunities with African friends by cultivating demonstration fields, establishing laboratories, building breeding farms, and formulating agricultural development plans.
By the end of 2023, China has established 24 agricultural technology demonstration centers in Africa, promoted over 300 advanced agricultural technologies, and increased local crop yields by an average of 30% to 60%, benefiting more than one million African small farmers. The "food bag" and "vegetable basket" of African people have become more abundant, and agricultural modernization is gradually becoming a reality.
From the "Ten Major Cooperation Plans" to the "Eight Major Actions" and then to the "Nine Projects", China and Africa have taken steady steps on the path of joint development and revitalization, constantly expanding new spaces and making new progress. Mahmoud Patel, a scholar from the Western Cape University in South Africa, believes that China Africa cooperation has not only changed the face of Africa, but also changed the paradigm of international cooperation and enhanced Africa's global status.
Africa's development is limitless, and Africa's future is full of hope. "President Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized that China" welcomes Africa to ride on the fast train of China's development "and" no one can stop the pace of the revitalization of the Chinese and African people! "On the path of united self-improvement and seeking innovation and change, the hearts of China and Africa are closer and their hands are tighter.
The Road Change: Being a Companion to Modernization in Africa
In Kenya, the modern Kongza Technology City has risen from the grasslands. This "Silicon Valley of Africa" jointly built by China and Kenya gathers institutions such as the Kenyan Institute of Advanced Science and Technology and the National Data Center. Once fully completed, it will accelerate Kenya's digital transformation and create hundreds of thousands of job opportunities.
When many people's impression of Africa still remains at the stage of poverty, backwardness, and lack of food and clothing, many African countries have gradually rid themselves of the resource export and dependent development path left over from the colonial era, explored modernization paths that meet their own development requirements and have their own cultural characteristics, and accelerated towards a new future.
China has signed cooperation documents on jointly building the "the Belt and Road" with 52 African countries and the AU Commission, and has been deeply aligned with the 2063 Agenda of the AU and the development strategies of African countries. The areas of cooperation between the two sides are constantly extending to emerging fields such as digital, green, aerospace, and finance.
From the Zambia China Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone to the China Egypt Teda Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, from the Oriental Industrial Park in Ethiopia to the Djibouti International Free Trade Zone, China's investment, technology, and operational experience have helped "Made in Africa" go global and provided rich nourishment for the industrialization process of African countries.
If infrastructure and industrial parks are the "backbone" that supports the economic development of the African continent, then "digital infrastructure" and "digital economy" are increasingly becoming the "neural network" that promotes deep integration between Africa and the world.
Currently, many African countries see the digital economy as a new driving force for development. The mobile payment platform built by Chinese enterprises provides secure and convenient digital payment services for millions of African users; China's e-commerce platforms established through non investment allow local residents to "buy globally" and "sell globally" without leaving their homes.
In 2021, President Xi Jinping announced at the opening ceremony of the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation that China will work together with African countries to expand cooperation in "Silk Road e-commerce". The Silk Road e-commerce not only drives the employment of anchors, traders, logistics and other full chain industries, but also provides impetus for Africa's digital revolution, allowing more people to enjoy the convenience of digital life.
As the world's largest developing country, China has the best understanding of the situation and challenges faced by African countries, and is eager to address the urgent needs and difficulties of Africa. This is a common feeling among many Africans. Faced with a new round of global technological revolution and industrial transformation, China and Africa have increasingly close exchanges in the fields of new technology, new energy, and emerging industries, bringing new opportunities for cultivating modern industrial talents and promoting sustainable development.
More than 100 green energy projects under the framework of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, from the Soxian geothermal power plant in Kenya to the Dea wind power project in South Africa, are helping Africa's green transformation. Zimbabwean economist Brian Mushimwa lamented that Africa has benefited greatly from China's growing green energy industry, from affordable green products to the development of clean energy.
Not long ago, the "Blind Eyes" mobile app developed by students from the "Luban Workshop" in Kenya won the Best Creative Award in the Kenyan University Innovation Competition. From Cote d'Ivoire to Djibouti, the "Luban Workshop" has helped promote the development of vocational education in Africa, cultivating a group of talents urgently needed for economic and social development. Chinese enterprises have launched a series of talent training programs in Africa, providing opportunities for African youth to learn cutting-edge technology and entrepreneurial experience. More and more African youth who possess professional knowledge and skills, as well as international perspectives and ideas, are growing and becoming successful, injecting youthful energy into the takeoff of the African continent.
Zwilinzima Ndou, Dean of the School of Public Leadership at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, said that China understands the arduous process of Africa's transition from colonization to independence and sees supporting Africa's development as part of promoting the "second liberation" of the African people.
Kenyan economist Hannah Reid believes that the distinctive feature of China's cooperation with Africa is that it is "driven by African needs", which has also driven more countries to "listen to African voices and establish equal partnerships".
President Xi Jinping said, "We welcome and support anything that is beneficial to Africa, and the whole world should do its best and do it seriously. Mutual respect, equal treatment, mutual benefit and win-win results have made the pace of China Africa counterparts more firm. Guinea Bissau President Mbalo said, "We have always been advancing side by side with China
The Change of Thought: Blowing the Horn of the Southern Awakening Era
In the 1960s, Senegal's founding president and poet Senghor proposed the idea of building a museum of black civilization. He has been actively advocating for the "traditional spirit of black people" and promoting African traditional culture and values.
More than 50 years later, Sangor's dream finally came true. In December 2018, the Senegalese Museum of Black Civilization, which was built with Chinese aid, officially opened. The unique value and contribution of black civilization are presented to the world in a three-dimensional and full manner. Director Hamadi Bocum said that this museum is committed to gradually achieving the decolonization of knowledge related to Africa and black communities.
Africa has never stopped leaving its mark in the history of human civilization. Nowadays, the revival of African civilization has sounded the clarion call for the awakening of the South, providing profound cultural nourishment for China Africa cooperation and injecting valuable spiritual impetus into the modernization process of Africa.
From the Black Civilization Museum to the competitive wrestling arena, with the help of China, Senegal's cultural treasures shine brightly. Senegal is a country of culture, and China is willing to work together with Senegal to protect and inherit traditional culture, promote cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. President Xi Jinping's sincere words convey the warmth and depth of China Africa friendship, and witness a great Eastern country's understanding and respect for African culture.
Today, a joint archaeological team from China and abroad is exploring the mysteries of human origins and technological evolution deep in the African continent. Chinese has been incorporated into the national education systems of many African countries, and art forms such as African dance are loved by Chinese audiences. The deepening of cultural exchanges not only enhances mutual understanding and trust between China and Africa, strengthens the foundation of people's hearts for China Africa cooperation, but also injects cultural strength into the common prosperity and progress of China and Africa.
The resounding footsteps of reform, solid steps towards modernization, and strong dreams of rejuvenation resonate and stir on the African continent.
In Kenya and South Africa, two "Red Chamber forums" were held successively. From the enlightenment of the Chinese path to modernization road to Africa, to the opportunities Chinese path to modernization brings to the "Global South", sincere and warm exchanges and discussions have made people more convinced that China and Africa will work together to achieve prosperity and modernization through partnership and mutual learning.
Inspired by socialism with Chinese characteristics, the Namibian Party has written the goal of building socialism with Namibian characteristics into its constitution, requiring all party members to "never forget their original aspirations" and "put the people at the center"; Entering Liangjiahe Village in Shaanxi Province, the President of the Central African Republic, Tuvadera, gained a deep understanding of local poverty alleviation practices and praised China's experience as "highly inspiring"; Visiting high-tech enterprises in Shenzhen, Tunisian President Said learned about China's cutting-edge technologies in smart cities, clean energy, artificial intelligence, and other fields, and felt the vitality and energy of contemporary Chinese society.
China and Africa are jointly exploring the vivid practice of modernization, working hand in hand to promote the historic cause of cooperation, win-win, harmonious coexistence, and common prosperity of civilizations. With a common vision of building a better world, they are playing the melody of the era of unity and self-improvement in the "Global South".
President Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out that the world is currently undergoing a great transformation unseen in a century, and the "Global South" represented by China and Africa is flourishing, profoundly influencing the course of world history. In the era of accelerating the rise of the "Global South" and driving the world towards multipolarity, Africa, which is constantly developing, has become an important pole in the development of world politics, economy, and civilization, participating in international affairs and global governance with a more confident attitude.
China is the first country to clearly express its support for the African Union's accession to the G20 and for the African Union to play a greater role in global governance. From the United Nations stage to the BRICS cooperation mechanism, China and Africa have repeatedly issued just calls on multilateral platforms to oppose hegemony, defend fairness, and achieve win-win cooperation.
The Forum on China Africa Cooperation is an important mechanism for promoting South South cooperation. Kenyan international relations scholar Kavins Adhir said that the "Global South" represented by China and Africa has enormous potential in global economic governance and transformation, playing an increasingly important role in international affairs. The growth and rise of the "Global South" will "bring common prosperity to humanity".
In a world of turmoil and turmoil, how to address development deficits, solve security dilemmas, and strengthen mutual learning among civilizations are common challenges faced by China and Africa. President Obiang of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea stated that President Xi Jinping's series of major initiatives have continuously deepened the construction of a community with a shared future between Africa and China, bringing us unprecedented historical opportunities.
Emmanuel Matanbo, research director of the Africa China Studies Center at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa, said that we have similar experiences and experiences, as well as a common mission and future. This future is about building a mutually beneficial and win-win community
Corresponding with the same voice, seeking the same spirit, crossing mountains and seas, and connecting hearts. Build a high-level community with a shared future for China and Africa, and strengthen the momentum and actions of the 'Global South'. In his congratulatory message to the 37th African Union Summit, President Xi Jinping said, "The new session of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation will be held in 2024. I am willing to work with African leaders to focus on benefiting the people of both sides, carefully plan a new blueprint for China Africa cooperation, and promote the construction of a high-level China Africa community with a shared future
Gathering in Beijing, looking forward to Beijing. The grand event of history will continue the historical mission of China Africa solidarity and cooperation, allowing the dream of common development to shine with new brilliance and bringing new enlightenment to the process of human modernization.
Dripping streams converge into the sea, and twinkling stars illuminate the Milky Way. China and Africa join hands to promote modernization and build a high-level China Africa community with a shared future, which will create a better life for the 2.8 billion people of China and Africa. With the "Southern Power" of developing countries' solidarity and cooperation, we will create a brighter future for human society.
Edit：He Chuanning Responsible editor：Su Suiyue
Source：Xinhua
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