Nairobi, September 3 (Xinhua) — A collaborative symphony spanning thousands of miles, depicting the future of the ‘non’ world together
The opening of the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation is imminent. Since the establishment of the forum 24 years ago, China Africa cooperation has been like an impassioned symphony, playing in the tide of the times and demonstrating vigorous vitality and energy. The “Ten Major Cooperation Plans,” “Eight Major Actions,” and “Nine Projects” proposed by China provide direction for China Africa cooperation. From infrastructure construction to economic and trade exchanges, from industrial upgrading to digital innovation, from green development to public health cooperation… Over the years, the “notes” of China Africa cooperation have been resounding and powerful, injecting surging momentum into world peace and development.
On July 28, 2022, in Tsavo, Kenya, a zebra grazes near the Mombasa Nairobi railway. Photo by Dong Jianghui, Xinhua News Agency reporter
Harmonious resonance: co depicting a new chapter of prosperity and development
Since the establishment of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation 24 years ago, economic and trade cooperation has achieved leapfrog development, with bilateral trade volume increasing nearly 26 times. China has maintained its position as Africa’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years.
In 2023, the trade volume between China and Africa reached 282.1 billion US dollars, setting a new historical peak for the second consecutive year. In 2024, China Africa trade and investment will continue to maintain a steady development trend, fully demonstrating the strong vitality and resilience of China Africa economic and trade cooperation.
Not only has there been significant growth in goods trade, but service trade has also become a highlight of China Africa economic and trade cooperation. Since 2017, China’s imports of services from Africa have grown at an average annual rate of 20%, creating nearly 400000 job opportunities for Africa each year.
The cooperation in infrastructure construction between China and Africa has yielded fruitful results. At present, Chinese enterprises have participated in the construction and renovation of over 10000 kilometers of railways, nearly 100000 kilometers of highways, nearly a thousand bridges, and nearly a hundred ports in various African countries. David Monyae, Director of the Africa China Studies Center at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa, said that the implementation of these projects has made African people increasingly feel the dividends brought by China Africa cooperation.
The high-quality joint construction of the “the Belt and Road” is the golden signboard of China Africa cooperation. At present, 52 African countries and the AU Commission have signed cooperation documents with China to jointly build the “the Belt and Road”. Onunaiju, director of the Nigerian China Research Center, pointed out that the initiative of jointly building the “the Belt and Road” conforms to the objective needs of African countries and helps solve practical problems, so it is widely welcomed and responded to.
On the afternoon of April 4, 2024, people walked out of the Mbale Industrial Park in Uganda. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Yahui
Innovation variation: illuminating the path of industrial upgrading
Every morning, local workers pass through the gate of the Central Ubalae Industrial Park in eastern Uganda and step onto their respective work positions. Home appliances, daily chemical products, home textiles, building materials, pharmaceuticals, automobile manufacturing… This park, which gathers many industries, covers an area of thousands of acres and is invested and operated by Chinese private enterprises. Since its launch in March 2018, it has attracted more than 40 enterprises to settle in, created more than 5000 job opportunities, incubated multiple local brands, and become a model for promoting local industrialization and modernization.
When it comes to industrial cooperation between China and Africa, David Bahati, the Minister of State for Industry at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperation of Uganda, stated that Chinese enterprises and investors are helping Africa China industrial cooperation to reach new heights, which is in line with the goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Through multiple dimensions such as industrial chain cooperation, technology transfer and localized production, market access and brand building, it has brought unprecedented development opportunities to African countries.
In the constantly changing global economic landscape, the China Uzbekistan Mbale Industrial Park, as a microcosm of China Africa cooperation, demonstrates the joint efforts of both sides in industrial upgrading and modernization transformation. At present, China has established capacity cooperation mechanisms with 15 African countries, and Chinese enterprises have participated in the planning, construction, and operation of over 50 industrial parks in African countries, attracting Chinese and other companies from around the world to invest in Africa.
The cooperation parks with Chinese investment, such as the Senegal Diamniacu Industrial Park, the China Egypt Teda Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, the Hisense South Africa Industrial Park, and the Nigeria Laki Free Trade Zone, have quickly attracted enterprises to build industrial clusters, formed industrial development advantages, and accelerated the local industrialization process.
In recent years, many Chinese companies have deeply cultivated the African market and achieved remarkable results. For example, Transsion Mobile relies on innovative technology to accurately meet the diverse needs of African consumers, and closely cooperates with African partners in technological innovation, market expansion, talent cultivation, and other aspects. The e-commerce platform Kilimall established by Chinese companies in Africa has also rapidly expanded in recent years, witnessing the changes in the lives of many African people and the growth of many small and medium-sized enterprises.
This is a photo taken on December 13, 2019 of the Garissa Photovoltaic Power Station in Kenya. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xie Han
Green New Song: Creating a Sustainable Future
In Kenya, the Garissa Photovoltaic Power Station constructed by Chinese enterprises can meet the electricity needs of over 380000 people in 70000 households; In Mali, the Chinese assisted Mali Solar Demonstration Village project has provided clean and reliable electricity to tens of thousands of local residents
On the vast land of Africa, over 100 green energy projects under the framework of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation inject more momentum into sustainable development in Africa.
Zimbabwean economist Brian Mushimwa pointed out that the development of China’s new energy industry has greatly benefited Africa, as it significantly reduces the prices of new energy products such as solar panels, making them affordable and usable for many African countries. Former Director General of the World Wildlife Fund, Marco Lambertini, believes that many African countries are vigorously promoting green transformation through cooperation with China, prioritizing the development of clean energy, which is crucial for achieving global sustainable development.
People look forward to China and Africa joining hands to embark on a new journey of modernization, gathering stronger momentum to promote world modernization and common human development.