The government of the People’s Republic of China has cautioned Africa against development models imposed on them by the Global North, stressing that they have neither brought stability nor prosperity to the continent.
Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, who spoke at the weekend as part of activities marking the Second Session of the 14th National People’s Congress in Beijing, alleged that while Africa-China cooperation thrived, other major countries of the world have turned their eyes to the continent.
Yi stressed that though China was not against such development, saying it hopes that those nations would increase their support for Africa.
He further pledged the commitment of the Chinese government to assist Africa to build its capacity for self-development.
“China will assist Africa in building capacity for self-driven development and support faster modernisation in the continent. China always holds that Africa should not be marginalised. While China-African cooperation thrives, other major countries have again turned their eyes to Africa.”
China welcomes that but we hope that like China, all sides will pay a greater attention to Africa and increase imports to support Africa’s development, and support only the development with real actions,” he said.
To buttress the deep-rooted relationship between China and Africa, the minister said the Chinese prime minister has embarked on a trip to Africa every year, noting that “this tradition has continued for 34 years.”
He added: “This is unique in the history of international exchanges. It is so because China and Africa are brothers to each other in sincerity and in sharing a common future.
“We have fought shoulder to shoulder against imperialism and colonialism; we have supported each other in pursuit of development, we have always stood for justice in a changing international landscape.
“Since the start of the new era, the President of China has put forth the principle of sincerity, real results and good faith, and called for taking the right approach to friendship and interest.
“Building a China-African community with a shared future has just been steered to a fast track. China has remained Africa’s biggest trading partner for 15 years straight and the span of China-African cooperation is growing bigger.
“The Chinese and African people are getting closer to each other. The global South including China and Africa is growing fast and profound in shaping a course of world history. African countries are experiencing a new awakening. Models imposed from outside have brought Africa neither stability nor prosperity.”
He therefore advised African nations to explore developmental models that are suitable to their peculiar conditions and keep their future and destiny firmly in their own hands.
“In this new historical process, China will continue to stand firmly with their African brothers and support an Africa that is truly independent in thinking and ideas.
“On basis of respecting the will of Africa/China relation for more lateral and bilateral corporations, the next meeting of the China/African cooperation will hold in China this quarter. Chinese and African leaders will gather in Beijing again after six years to discuss future development, cooperation and exchange of ideas. I believe that through this summit, China and Africa will enhance their long-standing friendship and deepen unity and collaboration,” the minister said.
Yi expressed optimism that the summit would lead to opening of a new vista for faster development as well as kick-start a new chapter for China-African community with a shared future.
