BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) — China is willing to embark on a new journey with Africa toward modernization and jointly contribute to global modernization and the common development of mankind, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Thursday.
Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a regular press conference in response to remarks by African experts and scholars that China, in its cooperation with Africa, “frees the continent to pursue African-style modernization” and that the two sides need to work together in their quest for modernization.
Noting that modernization is the common pursuit of China and African countries, Lin said China firmly supports Africa in exploring the path of independent development and focuses on the three areas where modernization is most needed.
“We launched the Africa Industrialization Support Initiative and implemented the China Plan to Support Africa’s Agricultural Modernization and the China-Africa Talent Development Cooperation Plan under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to support Africa’s development and prosperity with concrete actions,” Lin said.
He noted that infrastructure development is a priority. China has helped many African countries build their first highway, their first sea bridge and their first industrial park.
He also noted that trade and economy are important areas of cooperation. China-Africa trade volume reached a record high of 282.1 billion U.S. dollars last year. By the end of 2023, China’s direct investment capital in Africa exceeded 40 billion U.S. dollars. In the past three years, China has contributed to creating more than 1.1 million jobs in Africa.
Technology-driven development is one of the pillars of cooperation, Lin said, adding that China has carried out joint research in the areas of renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and remote sensing of resources, and deepened cooperation in satellites and aerospace, digital economy, batteries and photovoltaic products.
“Improving people’s well-being is our ultimate goal,” Lin said. He noted that several “small but smart” projects have been implemented, such as the Luban Workshop, the “satellite TV access for 10,000 African villages” program and the “African Solar Belt” program.
China’s approach is to “teach others to fish,” and it has shared with Africa China’s experience in governance and poverty alleviation and helped Africa transform its demographic advantage into human resources and fully tap its talent dividend to advance modernization, Lin added.
At the China-Africa Think Tank Forum held in March this year, Chinese and African scholars reached the Dar es Salaam Consensus. Lin said this consensus abandons the idea that “modernization equals Westernization,” broadens the modernization options of developing countries, and reflects the common aspiration of the Global South.
Noting that the FOCAC 2024 Summit will be held next week, Lin said Chinese and African leaders will explore cooperation and chart a course for the future under the theme of “Joining hands to advance modernization and build a high-level China-Africa community of shared future.”
