China-Africa win-win partnership won’t be derailed by false claims

BEIJING, Sept. 5  — The 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on
China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) witnessed African leaders denounce
accusations of “neo-colonialism” against China, reiterating the existence
of a strong partnership between the continent and the world’s second
largest economy.

This week, more than 3,200 leaders and representatives from Africa and
regional organizations gathered in Beijing to plan the next step in the
win-win relationship between China and Africa. China-Africa relations are
gaining global attention, as their practical cooperation has brought about
dramatic changes in the economic landscape across Africa and real benefits
to both peoples. For those who accuse China of “neo-colonialism,”
“plundering resources” and creating a “deb trap” in Africa, the Beijing
summit has proven them wrong. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
dismissed allegations of China acting in a colonialist fashion in Africa,
saying China instead has been a partner in boosting social and economic
development on the continent. Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh also
said that the Africa-China partnership is based on win-win cooperation and
mutual benefits, in contrast to those allegations.

BEIJING, Sept. 4, 2018 (Xinhua) — Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta attends a round table of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

The continent’s leaders sent out a clear signal that Africans are fully
capable of deciding what’s in their best interest. It is patronizing to
assume that Africans need to be “taken care of” because they don’t know
better. Africans have had enough of the coddling and are expressing their
frustrations online. They “categorically reject being cared for” by the
West and are fed up with “constantly being belittled.” “Sorry to say this
but the West treats Africans as objects of pity that need to be controlled
like kids,” said Danette Morara, whose comment on the question-and-answer
website Quora was widely upvoted.”The difference between the Chinese and
any other country is their honesty,” wrote Stone Atwine on the same thread.
“They don’t show up with a holier than thou attitude. They come for
business, mutually beneficial business … Some people show up with aid and
1,000 strings attached. We do not need aid, we need business.” “China
wants markets, we have it,” said Richard Ali. “Africa wants technological
expertise, China has it. Give me China any day.”

These African voices deserve to be heard. That’s why China has taken a
different approach to its partnership with Africa, one defined by equality,
sincerity and real results. During the summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping
put forward eight initiatives. Among the measures are imports of more
non-resource products from Africa, increased corporate investment, more
direct flights, an environmental cooperation center, an African studies
institute, and security programs fighting pirates and terrorists. These
projects are aimed at the continent’s sustainable, long-term economic and
social development, as well as cultural and environmental preservation, to
create a strong Africa for the future. Both China and Africa stand to
benefit from this common effort. Africa is a “land of great promise” and
“full of hope” as President Xi said, and no one can hold back the Chinese
and African people from realizing the continent’s potential.