China and Africa: Sharing the Future

The 2018 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit opened on Monday afternoon with President Xi Jinping delivering a keynote speech titled, Work Together for Common Development and a Shared Future. The following three points really impressed me. Δ Chinese President Xi Jinping (C, back) meets the press together with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (L, back) and Senegalese President Macky Sall, former and new African co-chair of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), after the conclusion of the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) The relationship between FOCAC and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was clearly expressed. Since the BRI was proposed in 2013, many African governments have been very concerned about the position of FOCAC. Xi’s speech made it clear that FOCAC will continue and will not be replaced by the BRI. In fact, the BRI is providing new strategic opportunities for all African countries. Through the convergence of the BRI with the African Union Agenda 2063, the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the development strategies of all African countries, Africa will surely be integrated into the implementation of the BRI and support its development goals. Actually, the aim of FOCAC and the BRI is consistent: common development through […]

Sep 7, 2018

China and Benin: “We can have exchanges and learn from each other”

We Are One: When China Meets Africa China Focus: When we talk about China, what do you think of first? Sedou Mama Ague: China is a big and beautiful country. The Chinese people are wonderful and friendly. China has made tremendous achievements, and China is currently appearing in every corner of the world. Specifically, China’s information and communication technologies have brought tremendous convenience to our society today. China, its industries, and its products have made it easy for us to have access to mobile phones. Even the poorest people in Africa, in Benin, have access to a mobile phone. The Chinese have drastically reduced the price of mobile phones. Thanks to the cooperation with Chinese people, today even the poorest people in Africa know what mobile phones are, and they also use them to communicate and access information in their daily lives. China Focus: In your opinion, to what degree have Benin people accepted the Chinese culture in Benin? Sedou Mama Ague: There are Chinese people in Benin who are into trading, and there are Chinese people who are in the art industry. They live among the people of Benin, and they work very well with us, just like you. Benin is a small country, our culture is rich, but it is not as diverse as in China. There are […]

Sep 1, 2018