Beijing – To close the knowledge gap between China and Africa, about 50 African journalists and information officers are in Beijing to better understand the country’s relationship with the continent.
The journalists, who are from 16 African countries, are taking part in a two-week long Seminar of Information Officers and Journalists for English Speaking African Countries. China has hosted similar seminars since 2004.
The seminar is organised by the Ministry of Commerce and the State Council of Information Office (SCIO) of the People’s Republic of China.
Speaking at the opening of the seminar on Wednesday, Inspector of the International Liaison Bureau of the State Council Information Office, Ding Xiamoming, said the seminar aims to enhance traditional, friendship and cooperation between China and other developing countries, and to promote and develop a better understanding of the Chinese society, beyond the focus of aid, trade and corporate activities between the two sides.
Ding said the seminar is also meant to give the African continent a true picture of China through the stories written by its own reporters based on their experience and observations as well as rededication for a win-win cooperation between the continent and China.
“This is a reconfirmation of China’s cooperation with the African continent. It is about mutual respect and how to continue to respond to what Africans say and how they become their own liberators.
“This is about unleashing the potential of the African people and advancement of provision of African solutions to African problems be it political or economic as well as boosting China-Africa relations,” said Ding.
China remains Africa’s major trading partner with data showing that trade hit the $200 billion mark in 2013 which included about 44 percent spurt in Chinese direct investment in Africa.
Among the activities planned for the delegates from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malawi, Rwanda and Nigeria among others will be the themed lectures by officials and experts from related departments and study tours to offer a glance of the “real and developing China”.
According to Ding, China and Africa have long shared mutual beneficial relations and have supported each other on multilateral fronts such as the UN Security Council.
“China has long relations with African countries dating back to the1970s… we have received great support from the African countries as such our relations are standing on a new political front which will lead to further cooperation which will lead to a brighter future.”
China has been on a blitz to train people in various fields to enhance cooperation.
For South Africa, this is stipulated in the five to ten year strategic programme for cooperation that was signed between South Africa and China in 2014, as well as the China-South Africa People's Friendship Association which has been one of the building blocks to further enhance people-to-people cooperation between the two sides.
Just last week, China agreed to a placement of South African government officials and business leaders on a training and skills development programme.
Forum on China-Africa Cooperation
The training seminars comes at a time when South Africa is celebrating in 2015, “The Year of China in South Africa” which cements long standing relations between the two countries, as well as South Africa’s hosting of the 6th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), later this year.
The two countries, which are co-chairs of FOCAC, will review the implementation of tasks set in the last meeting in 2009, explore new ways to deepen China-Africa relations and improve the forum's mechanism.
The FOCAC meeting is also expected to forge a new cooperation plan for the coming three years and exchange views on major international and regional issues.
“China is willing to transform the traditional friendship between China and South Africa – and Africa as a whole - into impetus for common development, and to work with African countries to convert their potential in human and natural resources into economic strengths,” said Ding.
China and South Africa share a rich history of cooperation in areas of trade and investment, skills transfer and technological development. – SAnews.gov.za
