China and Africa Join Hands to Meet Challenges

As the largest developing country, and the largest developing continent, how should China and Africa pursue the good and avoid the harm and seek common development in the tidal wave of the polarization of the world and economic globalization is a question for both sides to consider seriously at the turn of the century.

At the international symposium, titled "China and Africa: Challenging the 21st Century", held by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences from September 19 to 20, diplomatic envoys from over 20 African countries and some Chinese experts on African issues gathered together to engage in heated discussion on some topics and had a full exchange of opinions on the theme of how to further deepen all-round cooperation in the new century and put forward many new proposals for cooperation and ideas about development. The participants reached the consensus that the recent academic symposium covering wide-ranging topics and having pragmatic contents provided both sides with an opportunity to conduct face-to-face exchange of views and to achieve the aim of promoting connection and propelling cooperation; it also foreshadowed the forthcoming China-Africa Cooperative Forum-the Beijing 2000 ministerial conference.

In their speeches, delegates to the conference highly appraised the long-term friendly political ties between China and African countries, and praised that the Sino-African friendly relations, founded jointly by Chinese leaders of the older generations and predecessors of African national-liberation movements, had withstood the test of time, thinking that the new inter-State relationship featuring mutual sympathy, mutual trust and mutual support established by both sides in long-term common struggles has become the foundation and prerequisite for continuing to develop the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Africa in the new century. In the meantime, some scholars pointed out in their speeches that with the accomplishment of the cause of African countries to get rid of colonial oppression and fight for national independence, changes have taken place in the foundation of the political relations between China and Africa in recent years. In order to shake off the predicament of being pushed to "marginality" and "poverty", African countries have placed economic benefits before all else, the weight and influence of economic factors in bilateral political ties have risen rapidly. In light of the aforementioned situation, carrying out purposeful research work is the responsibility that academic circles should undertake, This is of important significance to the establishment of China-African all-round cooperative relationship that stands above the political system in the new historical period, it also helps developing countries to strength cooperation in the process of polarization.

Economic and trade ties are an important component of Sino-African friendly relationship. In their speeches, the ambassadors of some African countries expressed their thanks for the disinterested aid New China has provided to African countries in nearly a half century, thinking that this sincere aid has played a positive role in consolidating the independence of various African nations and developing their national economies...At the same time, both sides have realized that along with China's introduction of the reform and opening up program and the practice of a socialist market economy, and that most African countries have begun to put the development of national economies in the first place of national interest, it is necessary to conduct necessary readjustment of the traditional mode of economic and trade ties between China and Africa, only by doing so is it possible to ensure a long-term, stable and sound development of China-Africa cooperative relationship. For this end, exploring ways for the establishment of a new China-Africa economic and trade relationship featuring mutual reciprocity and mutual benefit and seeking common development through unity and cooperation has become a major topic to the common concern of the participants. Scholars held that despite the growth tendency of China-Africa trade in recent years, the proportion of trade volume to the total trade volumes of respective countries leave much to be desired and there exists much room for improvement in China's trade with African countries. Conscientiously studying the market situations in various African countries and purposefully carrying out solid and meticulous exploratory work is one of the methods for removing obstacles to the further development of China-Africa economic and trade relationship.

On the question regarding diversifying African markets and expanding investment in Africa, experts deemed it necessary both to adopt an active and enterprising attitude and to avoid seeking quick success and instant benefits. Relevant Chinese enterprises should base themselves on the realities of both sides, act according to their abilities and undertake more projects that are in conformity with local reality, in great demand and efficient. In accordance with this principle, experts proposed intensifying the development of African agriculture, and actively participating in upgrading and developing Africa's processing and manufacturing industries and, through education cooperation, further developing Africa's human resources and improving the quality of its labor power, this proposal has received high attention from African participating envoys.

Africa needs China, and China also needs Africa. Many African envoys were of the opinion that in the process of developing its socialist market economy, China has accumulated a considerable amount of successful experiences which are of great value of reference. Chinese scholars also mentioned that in recent years Africa has tended to enjoy political stability and that there have been signs of economic recovery on the continent, so long as they conscientiously remove outside obstructions and devote their efforts to developing their own economies, there will be great hope of recovery for African countries. (This commentary is written by Our Staff Reporter Zhang Jingyu.)

People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/