The Seventh China-Africa People’s Forum and China-Africa Young Leaders Forum were jointly held in Hunan, China, just days after the conclusion of the Third Plenary of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in Beijing.
Addressing the Forum in Changsha, Li Hongzhong, Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and Member of Politburo of the Communist Party of China noted that the plenary confirmed that China will advance reform, opening up, and Chinese modernization and that Africa has a major stake in it.
“China achieving modernization will bring new opportunities and offer new development pathways to African countries,” he said
Li noted that while China is advancing the building of a great nation and rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, Africa is also building a peaceful unified, and prosperous continent through solidarity and unity.
He said China stands ready to work with African leaders and political parties to implement important projects and improve governance capacity through closer collaboration and exchanges.
“Chinese experience shows that modernization is not westernization. Countries should explore paths to modernization that suit their local conditions and the trend of the ties for the benefit of the people,” he added
Mr Li reiterated that China will share with Africa her experience of achieving modernization and work together to find solutions to challenges.
He said the two sides should prioritize strengthening exchanges at all levels particularly focusing on pertinent topics such as poverty alleviation, education, and youth employment.
According to Li, China and Africa should strengthen cooperation across the board, and work hand in hand to implement major projects that benefit our people.
“We should leverage the strength of the mulita-faceted, multi-layered institutionalized exchanges between China and Africa. We also need to step up exchanges in culture, and tourism and explore new cooperation areas such as the digital economies, and e-commerce,” he said
“Let us advance development, and the importance of shared interests and mutual benefit. China and Africa are fellow companions in a journey towards modernization. Belt and Road Cooperation, Chinese medical teams, Covid vaccine sharing among other projects bear witness into China Africa Cooperation and a fine example of south to south cooperation,” he added
Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)
Li said the two sides should leverage the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and seek greater synergy with the 2063 Agenda to elevate ties between them.
Under this framework, he said China will work shoulder to shoulder with African countries with the spirit of shared values for humanity to implement the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative. He said FOCAC has been of immense benefit to the people of Africa.
“Since the launch of FOCAC Forum 24 years ago, trade between China and Africa has grown Chinese investments in Africa by nearly 100 times,” he said
“Many Road projects, railways, expressways. Hydropower stations, and stadiums, built by Hunan companies have had a great impact in Africa. The China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo has been held three times in Changsha bringing more quality African products to the Chinese market. These projects have delivered tangible benefits to the Chinese and African people,” added Li
This year marks 75 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China. During this period, Li said the Chinese nation and the Chinese people have experienced transformative changes.
“Reform and opening up has enabled China to catch up with the times in great strides and bears the success of Chinese modernization,” he said
The China Africa People’s Forum, launched in 2011, is organized by the China NGO Network for International Exchanges. It is a platform for institutionalized people-to-people exchanges aimed at promoting cooperation between Chinese and African people. Kenya hosted the first session in 2011 in Nairobi.
