Beijing - China is on a drive to ease fears of what has been labelled as the African “new colonialism”.
The globe’s most populous country is currently hosting about 50 journalist from 16 African countries, in Beijing, to better understand China’s relationship with the continent through a two-week long Seminar of Information Officers and Journalists for English Speaking African Countries, which ends on 4 August.
The seminar is organised by the Ministry of Commerce and the State Council of Information Office (SCIO) of China.
In his lecture, Political advisor and President of China International Publishing Group, Zhou Mingwei, said China’s aim is to manage the world’s 5.7 billion people’s mood towards China.
“China wants to be understood and China needs to understand the world also,” he said, acknowledging that the world was not yet ready for China’s growing status.
This as several political, policy makers and economists have questioned China’s increased economic engagement with Africa, while at the same time it has been promoting its soft power on the continent.
This in addition to concerns that in many countries, China is exploiting the local natural resources and shipping them back to the “Middle Kingdom” without leaving any added value to the local economies.
BRICS New Development Bank
Making an example of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), which opened in Shanghai this week to finance infrastructure projects, mainly in developing countries, especially in Africa-China maintains that this perception is not true.
The world's major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa’s leaders signed an agreement to establish the bank during their sixth summit in Brazil, last year.
Joining the growing number of multilateral institutions that are working to address the world's huge infrastructure needs, the NDB will supplement the existing international financial system in a healthy way and explore innovations in governance models.
South Africa is set to host Africa’s regional office, a move which is seen as imperative in unleashing the economic potential, competitiveness and create jobs for the continent.
Currently merging markets and low-income countries face an annual gap of US$ 1 trillion to US$1.5 trillion in infrastructure spending.
The NDB will have an initial authorised capital of US$100 billion, and an initial subscribed capital of US$50 billion which is "equally shared" among the five founders will ensure equal dialogue and serve as a model for innovation to global governance.
Promoting China’s image abroad
While China has sustained an economic growth, which has put the country in the number two spot in global economic rankings, Zhou said the new government is now focusing on promoting China’s image overseas which is more than the "Made in China", “Chinamerica” label.
China is also now Africa's largest trading partner, but Chinese are of the view that journalists are influenced on their reporting and fail to report on China-Africa’s successes. As a result the Chinese public knows little about the continent and visa-versa.
Zhou attributed this to the cultural differences between China and other foreign countries as the main cause of misunderstanding in the international community.
He made an example, saying that there's a fable in the works of Confucius about a fool trying to move a mountain.
“Some foreigners would say this man is really a fool. If a mountain blocks your way, you can just move your house. Why would you move the mountain?"
In addition to cultural differences, he said there were other barriers such as their living habits, history and language.
“It is important to learn the language in order to understand the culture,” he said.
With this in mind - China now needs to find a way to better explain itself.
According to Zhou, Chinese’s philosophy of “Seeking common ground, but recognize and preserve the differences,” is its approach to relations with Africa. This is centred on less “empty talk and more practical work”.
He also assured that China’s renewed attention to Africa should not be seen as a threat but rather a “win-win” strategy which would help develop the continent.
China would threaten no nation, even as it becomes a global power, he said.
Quoting the South Africa’s retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Zhau said as China they celebrate their diversities, respect, knowledge, communication and appreciation.
China however is not without its own challenges. These include social clashes, severe pollution, competing priorities, and tensions between China’s rich traditional culture and its rapidly modernising society. - SAnews.gov.za
