By Amin Kef Sesay
Speakers at a half-day seminar on Monday in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa lauded the China-Africa partnership and cooperation in various areas, whereby China has proven to be a real strategic partner with Africa.
The seminar was jointly organized by the Chinese Mission to the African Union (AU), and the Center for Dialogue, Research, and Cooperation (CDRC), under the theme, “Sustaining Traditional Friendship,” to dwell upon the achievements and prospects of China-Africa cooperation.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chairperson of the AU Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), Osman Abdel Khalek, noted that African countries, and the continent as a whole enjoys its partnership with China, as the Asian country has set out cooperation areas, depending on the priorities of Africa, and also specificity of individual countries.
Reiterating that his country has also enjoyed partnership with China, Khalek, who is also Egyptian Permanent Representative to AU, has hailed the eight initiatives set out during the latest FOCAC summit, including among others, infrastructure, trade facilitation, and industrial development, which he said complement priorities of the AU development blue print, dubbed “Agenda 2063.”
Stating that China has forged partnership and cooperation with Africa without any condition and string attached to it, he said the sky is the limit as far as the China-Africa cooperation and partnership is concerned.
“The importance and the vitality of, viability of the cooperation and partnership Africa has had with China, which China has proven to be a real partner and a true friend, a strategic partner and a true friend to whole African countries. It is fully committed to this strategic partnership, and we will continue to do so after of course concluding the Chairmanship of the Union,” he said, adding that “the sky is the limit for deeper and wider cooperation with China and Africa, the sky is the limit we are very much happy to see China …we look for a very influential role played by China and to develop the AU Agenda 2063.”
Reiterating that the contemporary world is going through tremendous unseen in the past century, the Chinese Ambassador to AU Liu Yuxi said China and Africa would continue to embrace the future with joint hands.
“Despite complicated and profound changes in international situation, China-Africa cooperation for common win is pressing head vigorously. China will preserve in the global aspiration of China-Africa cooperation and work with the African side to implement the outcomes of the FOCAC summit to build a closer community of shared future,” said the ambassador.
“We will strengthen copulations and cooperation in international and regional affairs, and step up efforts to align development strategies so that the practical achievements will benefit more people for a bright future of China-Africa cooperation.” He added.
Speaking on his part, Seyoum Mesfin, President of CDRC Board of Trustees, dwelt upon the China-Africa relations that have passed different phases.
He has urged due efforts to sustain the commendable relations between the two sides through critical appraisal for practical applications.
“Africa-China relations have evolved through various phases, lending these relations an inherent characteristic that is well-integrated in the overall makeup of the partnership. The relationship has acquired new vigor and meaning along the way, and it has adapted to emerging challenges and realities. Sustaining these commendable relations through critical appraisal of a long-standing tradition of respectful coexistence with due consideration for practical applications, remains essential,” Seyoum has said.
