China-Africa cooperation has achieved fruitful results, and “hands in arms” are becoming closer.
On the southern outskirts of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, weeds grew here two years ago, and now a modern building stands out, which is particularly dazzling under the blue sky and white clouds… The first phase of the headquarters of the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention was built with Chinese help The project completion ceremony was held a few days ago.
The project is a flagship project for cooperation with Africa announced at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2018, which is of great significance for improving the speed of disease prevention, monitoring, and emergency response in Africa.
From the Tanzania-Zambia Railway with a history of about half a century to the current CDC building, China-Africa cooperation has been continuously deepened, expanded, improved, and modernized. Building a China-Africa community with a shared future adds a vivid footnote, and the “embracing hands” of the Chinese and African peoples are becoming ever closer.
This is the headquarters building of the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention, taken in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, on January 11. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Dong Jianghui.
“‘Build a China-Africa Health Community’ is not a slogan”
“Every time I hear praise for ‘China speed’ and ‘China quality’, I get very excited!” It received many visiting health experts, government officials, and representatives of international organizations.
The builder of the project, China Civil Engineering Group Co., Ltd., was formerly the Foreign Aid Office of the Ministry of Railways, which assisted in the construction of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway. “From the first day, we joined the company, we kept in mind the ‘Tanzara Spirit’ of mutual respect, tenacious struggle, and selfless dedication.” Gao Jiajia, who has been helping Africa for nearly 15 years, said, “The Chinese who have fought in Africa know that epidemic diseases mean for African countries poor public health conditions.”
Africa, the continent with the highest concentration of developing countries, is a weak link in the global public health system. Malaria, cholera, yellow fever and other infectious diseases have plagued this continent throughout the year, seriously threatening the life and health of the local population. The raging epidemic of COVID-19 in recent years has highlighted the urgency of accelerating the improvement of Africa’s disease control system.
“From the promise that the development of the new corona vaccine will be the first to benefit African countries after it is put into use, to the announcement that the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters project will start ahead of schedule. and completed successfully, the facts have shown time and again that China keeps its promise. Now, I think ‘building a China-Africa health community’ is not a slogan,” said Charles Onunaiju, director and Nigerian international relations expert at the Nigerian Center for China Studies.
The African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters project is a microcosm of China-Africa medical and health cooperation over decades. In 1963, China sent the first medical team to Algeria. Since then, the Chinese medical team in Africa has spread like pearls in the vast land of Africa; When West African countries fought Ebola in 2014, China sent thousands of public health and clinical experts to the front lines to combat the epidemic; During the new crown epidemic, China and Africa joined forces in medical supply assistance, anti-epidemic experience sharing and international multilateral cooperation.
“I hope to take the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Headquarters project as a new starting point, and China-Africa health and medical cooperation will advance in more fields,” said Zhang Zhiren, leader of the 23rd Chinese medical team in Ethiopia.
On December 21, 2022, at the Uganda Aquatic Research and Development Center on the outskirts of Kampala, the capital of Uganda, a local employee contacted Chen Taihua, an aquatic expert from China. Posted by Xinhua News Agency (photo by Ajala Nawada)
“China’s experience in poverty reduction in agricultural development is worth knowing”
The Uganda Aquatic Research and Development Center is a China-Uganda Friendship Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center and an aquatic demonstration base for the China-UNFAO-Uganda South-South Cooperation Project (Phase III). The drainage and irrigation system of the fishery here adopts Chinese technology. In mid-November 2022, Chinese agricultural experts arrived in Uganda to start a three-year agricultural technical cooperation mission.
According to Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, more than 70 percent of the country’s population depends on agriculture for their livelihood. The first two phases of the South-South cooperation projects have increased the production of local agriculture, livestock, and fisheries and, at the same time, increased productivity. Peter Muimbo, the Uganda coordinator of the third phase of the project, said that this phase aims to commercialize agricultural produce with the aim of increasing exports to foreign markets. “During the implementation of this phase, Uganda will learn from China’s experience in ensuring food security and eradicating extreme poverty.”
Agricultural cooperation has always been a key area of China-Africa cooperation. For decades, China has effectively promoted the development of African agriculture and made outstanding contributions to the cause of poverty reduction in Africa through food aid, the establishment of agricultural demonstration centers, investment in African agriculture and support for the export of African agricultural products (000061) to China.
Burundi is located in the eastern part of the African continent and has abundant rainfall which is suitable for rice production. However, the unit yield of local rice varieties is not high and Burundi is experiencing food shortages. According to the agreement between the governments of China and Burundi, China has implemented the technical cooperation project to assist Burundi’s high-level agricultural experts since August 2009. Over the years, the Chinese expert team has It has entered the fields and has traveled through more than 15 rice paddies. growing provinces in Burundi. They successfully selected and introduced 8 kinds of rice varieties suitable for the local area and solved the historical problem of reduced production or even no harvest due to rice blasts in the local mountainous area.
“We are very grateful for the work of the Chinese expert group!” said Prosper Dodiko, permanent secretary of Burundi’s Ministry of Environment, Agriculture, and Livestock. Promotion of technologies such as aquatic products and integrated rice-fish farming.
“China gives priority to rural areas in poverty reduction, and the development of agriculture has played an important role. China’s use of agricultural technology to help reduce poverty is a useful inspiration for developing countries.” developing”. Kavins Adhill, international affairs expert at Kenya Say.
On January 10, at the Encock Special Economic Zone in Libreville, the capital of Gabon, students from the Encock International Center for Vocational Education and Training conducted turning training. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Han Xu
“China helps improve the independent development capabilities of African countries”
At a vocational school in Libreville, the capital of Gabon, 27-year-old Ntolo Angu Raiza repeatedly practiced operating construction machinery. It was hot and Raisa’s face was covered with sweat, but she was still meticulous.
The Encock International Center for Vocational Education and Training, where Raisa is located, was jointly established by China Aviation Technology International Holdings Co., Ltd. and Chengdu Aviation Vocational and Technical College and other institutions. In April 2021, the center was inaugurated and 160 students received the Gabonese Presidential Scholarship to receive training in three majors: electrical and electronic engineering, machining, and welding technology.
According to the “African Youth Survey 2022” commissioned by the Ichikowitz Family Foundation in South Africa
The important role of talent in economic development is evident. The foundation for vocational education in Africa has long been weak, funds are tight, skills training is lagging, and there is much room for improvement in hardware and software. In recent years, capacity building has become a new direction for China to help Africa’s development.
Madeleine Bell, Minister of Employment, Public Service, Labour, Vocational Training and Social Dialogue of Gabon, said that the cultivation and employment of talents is the key to the future development of the country, and the project of the International Center for Vocational Education and Training of Encock fully reflects the high-level cooperation between Canada and China. camaraderie.
According to the “African Youth Survey 2022” commissioned by the Ichikowitz Family Foundation in South Africa, by 2030, around 40% of the world’s youth population will be from Africa, and youth will become a major force in promoting of peace, stability and social development. in Africa. China has always firmly supported the development of education in Africa, helped build schools in many countries and shared teaching experiences, and actively promoted cooperation and exchanges between Chinese and African scientific research and teaching institutions.
“China has long supported the construction of educational infrastructure in Africa, providing Africa with a wealth of education and training opportunities, cultivating all kinds of suitable talents, and effectively enhancing the independent development capabilities of African countries.” Paul Frimpong, executive director of the Africa-China Policy Consulting Center, a think tank in Ghana, said. (Participating reporters: Jin Zheng, Wang Ping, Zhu Shaobin, Ji Li, Zhou Chuyun, Shi Yu, Nie Guoguo, Guo Jun, Xie Hao, Tian Yun, Lu Chengcheng, Xu Zheng, Li Hualing)
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[…] China-Africa Cooperation is Fruitful and “Hands in arms” is Getting Closer […]
[…] China-Africa Cooperation is Fruitful and “Hands in arms” is Getting Closer […]
[…] China-Africa Cooperation is Fruitful and “Hands in arms” is Getting Closer […]