Why China is Africa’s Trusted Development Partner.

Chinese premier Wen Jiabao famously said at the Summit in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el Sheikh that “China is a “true and trusted friend” of the African continent and its people. He also emphasized that China’s support for Africa’s development is ‘real and solid’ and promised that no matter what turbulence the world undergoes, our friendship will not change.

China is consistently emerging as the country of choice to do business with Africa. The country has gradually gained the trust of the African continent and established a development momentum in Africa that will be difficult to stop. Analysts and proponents of the look East policy have attributed this development to China’s Pragmatism and favorable principles in Africa. They have basically sought common ground while reserving differences and maintaining equality and political mutual trust.

The Sino-Africa relation is a win-win one where policies are based on mutual development. China places a premium on non-intervention, reciprocity, mutual benefits and common development at the top of its agenda in Africa. These policies have been received in Africa with open arms and facilitated cooperation. Dr. Jean Ping, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission wrote an Article titled” China gives Africa hope” and he emphasized that China-Africa cooperation is win-win cooperation and both must work together and learn from each other.

China has been offering friendly assistance to Africa without attaching political conditions to such assistance; a key distinction from other international aid to Africa. Majority of that assistance is government –to- government assistance model by non- currency model. They have focused on concrete programmes such as infrastructure, livelihood projects, education, healthcare etc, from which the people can see and feel, and can benefit directly. Its investment in Africa, especially in infrastructure, has seen an impressive list that includes roads, railways, schools, hospitals, telecommunication, clean energy, technology and so on. Compared to assistance, investment is a more constructive way to achieve common development on a much broader scale by bringing in technology, skills, management conceptions and employment opportunities.

China is of course looking out for its own interests but so long as these interests are compatible with African interest and mutually beneficial, then Africa has no reason to shy away.  Former Zambian President Rupiah Banda well put it when he said, "The Chinese have selfish interests, naturally," He said. "We are prepared to do this with anybody else. It is not that this is reserved for China. It is that they are the only ones who seem to see it the way that we see it." He added that “China understands Africa better than most of the world and has proved itself a trusted ally.”

Confucius said we may learn wisdom by imitation, which is the easiest, and by experience, which is the bitterest.  But the third method, reflection, is the noblest. In terms of trade relations and economic and technical cooperation, China and Africa have made great strides with Africa reaping huge benefits particularly when it comes to moving up the manufacturing value chain, increasing productivity, infrastructure development and fostering private enterprise. 

China’s economic reality is more relevant to African states because it has come from the same circumstances that Africa is trying to get away from. Despite its rapid growth and immense achievements, China still belongs in the developing world and faces the same daunting task of lifting its people out of poverty. Africa can draw important lessons from China’s experiences as they continue to learn from each other and seek common development. 

The Forum on China-Africa cooperation was established in October 2000 to promote China-Africa strategic partnership. Every three years, Chinese and African leaders sit and discuss ways and means to realize these ends. This Forum has nurtured mutual trust and understanding, economic win-win cooperation and cultural exchanges thus creating a good development momentum. It has ensured that the development needs of both China and Africa are pursued and met.

Since the Inception of FOCAC, China has earnestly implemented all its cooperation commitments made at the various FOCAC ministerial and Beijing Summit. Smooth progress has been made in debt cancellation, tariff exemption, provision of concessional loans and the scheme of special loans designed to help small and medium sized African enterprises. These achievements, which have been well received by the African states and highly regarded by the International community, are here for everyone to see.

Since the 4^th Ministerial meeting of FOCAC, China has implemented the major pledges of the conference despite the grave challenges posed by the International financial crisis. These include agricultural technology demonstration centers, clean energy development and China Africa friendship schools which are well underway. Personnel training programs for Africans is ongoing and a series of important and exciting activities such as the China-Africa Agriculture Forum, the FOCAC-Legal Forum, the Young Leaders Forum, the Think Tank Forum, the “African Culture in Focus” program, the 20+20 Cooperation plan for Chinese and African Institutions of Higher education and the joint Research and exchange program, have been held one after another, bringing China-Africa cooperation to a new high.

Therefore, In China, Africa has found a political ally, a good cooperation partner economically and a diplomatic companion to work together for mutual development. The policies of equality, political mutual trust, economic win-win cooperation and mutual understanding have ensured China remains Africa’s trusted development partner.