A Sino-African expert and former advisor to the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Jinkang WU strongly believes that the relations between Africa and China are reliable and mutually beneficial to both parties.
Jinkang WU made these revelations as the keynote speaker at an online dialogue hosted by the Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory.
This was in response to a question about how the recent opening of China after almost three years of being closed down because of the COVID-19 pandemic will affect the relationship between Africa and China.
“As you know, China and Africa are traditionally good friends, and we are reliable partners and good brothers, so we can stand together in terms of mutual assistance, team up, and treat each other with sincerity so we can work together and take advantage of going back to Africa to welcome more Chinese tourists.” He said.
“The Chinese tourists really say a lot about Africa, and they really love the beautiful scenery of the African continent.”
He also said that there are already ways for African countries and China to work together to improve their relationship and make the most of the time after the pandemic.
Some of the existing platforms include the Forum on Africa-China Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road cooperation between China and Africa, as well as, of course, Africa’s Union Agenda 2063 and other development strategies of African countries.
“I think this is good news for Africa. “Given that they have a dynamic cooperation with China, there are many areas where the two sides could further strengthen their cooperation, including trade and investments, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, climate change, education, and culture, just to name a few.”
Written by Victoria Owusu Boateng, Research Associate at ACCPA
Source: Africa-China Centre for Policy & Advisory