Chinese Association for International Understanding

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African NGO Delegation Visits China


Yuan Hao At the invitation of the Chinese Association for International Understanding (CAFIU), a 13-member African NGO delegation composed of representatives from South Africa, Tanzania and Namibia visited Beijing and Guizhou from November 10 to November 19. Members of the delegation were coming from national civil group, friendship association, think tank and universities. Although there were many young faces in this delegation, many of them were “old friends” of China. 7 members once visited China and Onesmus from Namibia studied in China for 6 years. Owing to the visit of more than 10 cities such as Harbin, Shenyang, Nantong and Wuhan, Onesmus was called a China hand. Joseph Kahama from Tanzania-China Friendship Association could chat with his friends expertly with the Chinese App “WeChat”. During their stay in Beijing, they met with CAFIU Vice-President Ai Ping. CAFIU Deputy Secretary-General Liu Kaiyang gave briefings on China, CPC and Chinese NGOs. The delegation members expressed their appreciation for the invitation of CAFIU. They said that African countries and China are all developing countries faced with the same problems, and hoped through this visit they could learn from each other, share experience, build a bridge of friendship and link African tradition with Chinese characteristics. Experts from Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Peking University had discussions and exchanged views with the delegation. Professor Yang Guang from Institute of West-Asia and African Studies, CASS made a presentation about China’s Africa policy, which included three parts: the long history of China-Africa friendship; bilateral strategic cooperation for common economic development in the new era; the historic opportunity and cooperation fields for both sides in the future. The discussion was so heated that everyone wished there could be more time. At the African Studies Centre in Peking University, Professor Li Anshan gave a briefing on China-African cultural exchanges. Kingo Mchombu, professor of the University of Namibia, was gratified at seeing young scholars and students involving in the research and the China-Africa people-to-people exchanges. He said he felt much positive energy here. While walking around the Weiming Lake on the campus, the delegation came across two girl students from South Africa and Zimbabwe respectively. They talked about their life and study in China enjoyably, posed with the delegation members and exchanged contact information. The delegation also called on China Youth Development Foundation (CYDF). Cui Ziyan from the Partner Relations Department of CYDF talked about Project Hope and Aid projects in African countries. Few members of the delegation knew about CYDF or Project Hope. After hearing that CYDF had built 23 Hope Primary Schools in Namibia, Tanzania and other three African countries, they warmly applauded to express their deep respect and gratitude for Chinese education aid in Africa. During their stay in Guizhou, the delegation members met with Yuan Huimin, Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Guizhou Province. Mr. Yuan gave briefings on poverty alleviation, education, resource development and transportation in Guizhou in recent years. Madam Motlalepula Ziphora Rosho, an NGO representative from South Africa said that Guizhou had so much experience and there was a lot for Africa to learn about. There are experience in many fields that could be shared such as poverty alleviation, education, exchange of young people, economic development, gender empowerment and agriculture industrialization. She hoped to learn more in Guizhou visit and looked for cooperation opportunity. The two sides also exchanged views on NGO’s activities in Guizhou Province. While talking with experts from Provincial Poverty Alleviation Office and Provincial Women’s Federation, the delegation learnt about experience for poverty alleviation and protection of women’s rights. The African friends highly admired the achievements of Guizhou in poverty alleviation and noted that Africa-China cooperation in poverty alleviation enjoys broad future. The African friends were impressed that Chinese development-oriented poverty alleviation placed a higher priority on development of education and health. And they hope to find opportunities to learn concept of poverty alleviation and conduct cooperation in China. The delegation was very interested in the model of “leading enterprises plus rural households” when visiting fruits and vegetable greenhouse, ceramic production base and village tourism in Zunyi Huamao model village of the New Countryside Construction. Their questions were focused on the participation ratio of farmers, agricultural technical training, market outlet and logistics cost in this model. During the delegation’s visit in Guiyang Changguansi model village, the local guide showed them how to make Ciba, a local food made with sticky rice. Many African friends tried by themselves. After the cook finished all cooking, they tasted the fruits of their labors and gave thumbs-up for Ciba. When visiting Guizhou E-commerce Demonstration Zone, the delegation was amazed by the practice of promoting local agricultural products online. Stephen Plaatjie from South Africa said that E-commerce worthes being developed further in Africa since over half of the populations there are engaged in agriculture. He wished that the African countries enhance research and promote E-commerce in Africa in the future. As this 10-day trip came to an end very soon, we sincerely invited African friends to come back to China in the future for a deepening mutual understanding. Our joint efforts will surely strengthen China-Africa friendship and cooperation.