On 27th October, Mission of China to the African Union held a Webinar on China and AU at 20th Years: A New Starting Point through Shared Future, Head of Mission of China to the AU Amb. HU Changchun and high-level officials from AU Commission as well as experts and representatives from China-Africa Institute, Addis Ababa University, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Africa Policy Institute, Center for Dialogue, Research and Cooperation of Ethiopia, Afreximbank and China-Africa Development Fund made remarks. Representatives from AUC, African diplomatic corps, international organizations and Chinese and African think-tanks and media attended.
In his keynote speech, Amb. HU Changchun stated that the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has just concluded successfully, which is a Congress of great importance that took place at a critical time when the Chinese people embark on a new journey to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects and advance toward the Second Centenary Goal. It also pointed the way forward and established the action guideline on the new journey for the Party and State in the new era. The Party will unite and lead the Chinese people to promote the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in an all-round way with Chinese-style modernization and build a community with shared future for humankind. Amb. HU stated that China-AU relations have played an important leading role in carrying on China-Africa traditional friendship and strengthening solidarity and cooperation in the new era. This year, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the AU Assembly and exchanged congratulatory messages with Chairperson of the AU on the 20th anniversary of the establishment of China-AU diplomatic relations, demonstrating the high degree of political mutual trust between China and Africa. Over the years, guided by the principles of sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests, China shares development experience and opportunities with Africa without reservation. China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for 13 years in a row, and has always been working in solidarity with Africa in its important and urgent tasks of fighting against Ebola and COVID-19, coping with food crisis and climate change, and promoting economic recovery and industrialization. With hard work and unremitting efforts of both sides, the China-Africa community with a shared future has become a model for building a community with a shared future for mankind. China is willing to work closely with the African side to strengthen the alignment of China’s development strategy with AU Agenda 2063 and the development strategies of African countries, so as to jointly achieve high-quality cooperation and development on a larger scale and a higher level. The dividends and outcomes of which will better benefit the people of both sides.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Emile Rwagasana, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Cabinet of the Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, congratulated the successfully concluding of the 20th National Congress of CPC. He said that the depth and breadth of Africa China friendship is immeasurable. The relations between China and Africa are brotherly and historical, which started long time ago and has been characterized by mutual respect. He said that the AU commended on China’s achievements of remarkable development progress in recent years, and its commitment of sharing its successes through initiatives such as the Belt and Road.The present world is facing challenging circumstances, China and Africa should reaffirm their strong commitment to upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the UN-centered international system, to practicing true multilateralism, advancing democracy in international relations and to opposing unilateralism, power politics and the formation of opposing blocs. Dr. Emile emphasized that both China and Africa should commit to deepening practical cooperation, high quality Belt and Road cooperation, promoting green development, and aligning the Global Development Initiative with AU Agenda 2063 and national development strategies of African countries, in order to elevate China-Africa cooperation to higher levels.
The webinar consists of three sessions. Under Session I on China-Africa governance experience exchanges and Capacity building of African countries, Professor He Wenping of China-Africa Institute stated that CPC regards development as the first priority and emphasize that empty talk will mislead the country and hard work will rejuvenate the country. Associate Professor Dr. Messay Mulugeta at Addis Ababa University stated that Africa and China established equal relations on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Chinese-style modernization has provided a new development path for the world. Under Session II on China-Africa Cooperation on Agriculture & Poverty Reduction, Deputy Director of Agricultural Information Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Dr. Nie Fengying stated that China's poverty reduction has made great contributions to global poverty reduction, and shared China's poverty reduction experience. President of Kenyan Africa Policy Institute Prof. Peter Kagwanja stated that Africa can learn from China's 40-year poverty reduction journey. Expert from Center for Dialogue, Research and Cooperation Mr. Wegene Mengistu stated that agricultural cooperation within the framework of the FOCAC will provide incentives for Africa's agricultural development. Under Session III on China-Africa Economic Cooperation: Trade, Investment and Finance, Ag. Director of Industry, Minerals, Entrepreneurship and Tourism of AUC Mr. Chiza Charles Chiumya emphasized that China's investment in Africa has helped the development of Africa significantly. Africa is willing to continue to make full use of China's market and resources to achieve its own industrialization and economic transformation. Representative of Afreximbank appreciated the practical cooperation between Chinese financial institutions and Africa in financing. Chairman of China-Africa Development Fund Mr. Song Lei stated that Chinese investment to Africa has helped increase African exports and tax revenue, as well as benefit local communities.
The participants made warm and friendly discussions on the significance of the 20th National Congress of CPC and the fruitful achievements between China and AU over the past 20 years, and put forward suggestions for future cooperation. The webinar ended in jointly wishing the 20th National Congress of CPC to open a new chapter in China's construction of a modern socialist country in all respects, the continuous improvement of China-Africa mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation, and the steady and long-term development of the China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.