Interview: “The Tree Of Africa-China Cooperation Has Flourished!”

What assessment do you make of China-Africa cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in the past 10 years?
Since the foundation of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the development of China-Africa relations could be roughly divided into three phases: The first phase (1950s to the end of the 1970s) was marked by the struggle against Western imperialism for both China and Africa. The second phase that started almost at the same time as the “Reform and Opening Up” policy throughout the 1990s was marked by pragmatic approaches that sought new models of economic cooperation.
The third phase began with the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2000 and has continued until now, marking an unprecedented level of multi-facetted engagement between China and African countries. Aiming to build new bilateral relationships, China and African countries decided to set up a comprehensive mechanism to better communicate and cooperate, and later the Belt and Road Initiative.
Given that the Belt and Road Initiative has its own vision and action plan, dedicated political fora, financial institutions and resources which do not simply account for FOCAC achievements, but are aimed at reinforcing and expanding the scope and depth of cooperation. For African Belt and Road Initiative countries, this means that resources, in addition to those under FOCAC, become available under the Initiative.
Under the two initiatives, China strengthened aid to African countries while promoting cooperation in areas such as industrialization and infrastructure which received even stronger political support from China, helping to fast-track the implementation of projects in Africa. Furthermore, cooperation between the two sides was not limited to bilateral relations, but also aimed to connect Asia, Europe and Africa. African countries benefited from new connections to these regions by for example expanding cooperation with countries along the Maritime Silk Road in South Asia and South East Asia. 
Being part of these emerging new structures has been of benefit to all Belt and Road Initiative countries, including those in Africa. African states have enjoyed major benefits in their engagements with China, ranging from infrastructural development to knowledge transfer, foreign direct investment, aid and other gains. Nevertheless, it is up to African states to find ways in which they can better leverage their relations with China to achieve the economic, social and political goals envisioned in the African Union Agenda 2063.

How do you assess the principles of sincerity, effective results, friendship and good faith, and seeking the highest good and shared interests put forward by President Xi Jinping of China?
China is the largest developing country in the world, and Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries. Shared past experiences and similar aims and goals have brought China and Africa closer together. Developing solidarity and cooperation with African countries has been the cornerstone of China’s foreign policy, as well as a firm and longstanding strategy. In the fight for national liberation and independence, China and African countries supported each other and expanded mutual political trust in the process. 
In pursuing economic development and national rejuvenation, both sides have been helping the other and increasing the scope of cooperation. On major international and regional issues, they have coordinated their positions and jointly safeguarded international equality and justice.
It is in this sense that entering the new era, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the principles of China’s Africa policy - sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, and pursuing the greater good and shared interests, charting the course for China’s cooperation with Africa, and providing the fundamental guidelines. 
China-Africa friendship has not been an overnight achievement, nor has it been gifted from on high. Rather, it has been fostered throughout the years when China and Africa supported and stood alongside each other in trying times. China has aided to the limit of its capabilities the development of Africa, and has been grateful for the strong support and selfless help African countries and their peoples have extended to China for a long period of time. 

In what areas would you suggest the strengthening of China-Africa cooperation?
The African Union, AU’s theme for 2023 is the “Year of AfCFTA: Acceleration of the African Continental Free Trade Area Implementation.” To boost intra-African trade, the continent has embarked on the gradual elimination of tariffs on 90 per cent of goods, and the reduction of barriers to trade in services aimed at increasing Africa’s income by $450 billion by 2035. The successful implementation of the AfCFTA will lead to the creation of more decent jobs, improved welfare and better quality of life for all citizenry, and sustainable development. 
AfCFTA’s Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) supports matchmaking businesses and products for export and import between State Parties. The products earmarked for trade under the Initiative include ceramic tiles, tea, coffee, processed meat products, corn starch, sugar, and dried fruits, amongst others, in line with the AfCFTA focus on value chain development. In 2023, the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative shall also focus on Trade in Services in the five priority areas, namely: tourism, transport, business services, communication services and financial services.
The ultimate objective is to ensure that AfCFTA is truly operational. The gains from the initiative are expected to improve implementation and achieve increased inter-regional and intra-Africa trade. Which in turn would yield economic development for the betterment of the continent at large. These are some of the top priorities of the AU for this year. We look forward to strong synergy between China and African frameworks in these regards to drive more transformational results.

What are your expectations of a higher-level Sino-African community with a shared future?
I believe that to reach a higher level Sino-African community with a shared future, apart from including the principles of sin...