Sino-African cooperation seeks new horizons

Source:Global Times Published: 2012-7-19 19:35:03

He Wenping

He Wenping

 

Liu Hongwu

Liu Hongwu

 

Editor's Note:

 

The Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is being held in Beijing. The main agenda of the conference is to review the implementation of follow-up activities from the previous conference of FOCAC in 2009. The conference also plans to examine and adopt a Beijing Declaration and Beijing Action Plan (2013-15) to define new cooperative programs to be undertaken over the next three years. How has the forum influenced Sino-African relations? Global Times (GT) reporters Shu Meng and Wang Zhaokun talked to He Wenping (He), director of the African Studies Section at the Institute of West Asian and African Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Liu Hongwu (Liu), director of the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, on the issues.

 

GT: Since its launch in 2000, how do you view the influence of FOCAC on cooperation between China and Africa?

Liu: Over the past 12 years, FOCAC has become a major platform through which China has promoted development of African countries. Also, through FOCAC, China has developed mature mechanisms of policymaking and cooperation with African nations. Sino-African cooperation is already the most important external driving force for Africa's development. Such cooperation is characterized by its pragmatism and high efficiency and sets a good example for South-South cooperation. This kind of cooperation also serves as a new model of how emerging economies may help the development of the least developed countries. With the rise of more developing nations, such new South-South cooperation will provide major impetus to the global economy in the future.

 

He: Sino-African relations have grown faster than ever in the last decade due to FOCAC. The forum is not just limited to talk. Both sides have discussed such issues as economic and cultural exchanges and the training of human resources, as well as ways to broaden areas of cooperation. Without the specific triennial action plans, Sino-African relations would not be as flourishing as it is today. Therefore, this mechanism is very important to both sides.

 

In the past, African countries had a very weak sense of participation. Although the African Union is an integrated organization, it cannot represent all African countries. As FOCAC developed, African countries' participation has been enhanced. We pay more attention to the integrity of Africa. In recent years, China and Africa haven't just discussed issues bilaterally, instead, they have broadened their horizons and created transnational, transregional projects.

 

GT: What are the major challenges China and Africa need to cope with in the future?

Liu: FOCAC is already undergoing a kind of adjustment of its work, namely to extend successful economic cooperation into other areas as well. China and Africa will conduct more cooperation for the integration of the African continent and the promotion of peace and stability in the region. Also, China is paying more attention on how to help African people improve their livelihood and social progress. China and Africa should also step up their people-to-people cooperation and communication, which can help boost understanding and trust between the two sides and their peoples.

 

He: Although FOCAC has grown rapidly, there are still some defects in the mechanism. The forum has started too many projects and become too much concerned with speed in completing the projects. This phenomenon has caused some projects not to meet quality standards.

 

Moreover, each country in Africa has its own history, culture and domestic conditions, which means that each country has its own demands. China should make thorough studies before making up policies and trying to discuss a concrete analysis of concrete conditions.

 

However, young people have little communication with each other. Lack of understanding will have a negative impact on Sino-African cooperation. The Chinese government has endeavored to solve the problem by providing scholarships to African students.

 

GT: Trade of energy and other resources still take up a large share of Sino-African economic exchanges. How may we make their cooperation more diversified and sustainable?

Liu: The sustainable development of Sino-African relations is primarily decided by joint efforts from both sides. However, it is also decided by whether other countries, especially Western nations, can play a positive and constructive role in the region. The trade issue between China and Africa is a result of the current international economic structure and China never pursues a special energy strategy in Africa.

 

Instead, it conducts trade and economic cooperation with African nations according to their special national conditions and international rules. China is extending cooperation to areas such as agriculture and infrastructure as well and it is committed to ensuring African people benefit from such cooperation. For African nations, the work they need to do at the moment is to improve their capacity of national governance and opening-up system.

 

GT: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calls FOCAC a "good example" of South-South cooperation. China is an emerging power while Africa is developing rapidly. How will the China-Africa cooperation influence the international pattern?

He: Many Western scholars believe that the shift of power is the main trend of the international pattern. However, the shifting of power hasn't finished. Therefore we cannot overestimate our strength.

 

In this progress, the proportion of trade volume from countries in the eastern hemisphere is increasing. It demonstrates that power is not wielded completely by Western countries. They have to give up certain power. Sino-African cooperation will promote South-South cooperation. Also, it accelerates the shifting of power from the West to the East.

 

In addition, Sino-African cooperation will contribute to the development of the whole world. There is no peace without development. The problem of development has never been totally solved. Activities such as the Occupy movement can be found even in some developed countries. Polarization has become even worse.

 

Year 2012 marks the last year for the completion of the UN Millennium Development Goals. There is still a wide gap between expectation and reality. Under such circumstances, Sino-African cooperation can work as a beneficial factor for global development.

 

Global Times Daily Special

 

China doubles loans to Africa to $20 billion

The Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation kicked off in Beijing on Thursday, during which China promised $20 billion in loans to Africa as the two sides began discussions on how to deepen mutual ties.

 

Chinese President Hu Jintao said during the forum's opening ceremony that the government will take measures in five priority areas to support peace and development in Africa and boost the Sino-African strategic partnership.



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