China and Africa Jointly Advance Modernization

Considering that China and Africa represent about one-third of the world’s population, “there will be no global modernization without modernization,” said President Xi Jinping in his keynote speech at the 2023 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held this month in Beijing. He emphasized that the friendship between China and Africa transcends the boundaries of time and space, overcoming towering mountains and vast oceans, and extends across generations.

China’s relations with Africa date back to the 15th century. When Chinese navigator Zheng He reached the eastern coast of Africa, China did not colonize or invade any African country. This is in contrast to Western colonization, which began in the mid-19th century during the “Scramble for Africa,” also known as the “Race for Africa,” driven by the Second Industrial Revolution in Europe. During that time, many Africans were forcibly taken to the United States, while Ethiopia (then Abyssinia) remained the only African country not fully colonized, despite a brief Italian invasion during Fascist Italy in the 1930s.

After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, and due to China’s continuous support for Africa’s struggle against European imperialism, relations between China and African countries flourished. One of the historic moments that helped solidify this relationship was in 1960, when China supported the independence and development efforts of African nations. A notable example was the construction of the “Tanzania-Zambia” railway between 1970 and 1975, built by engineers and workers from China and Africa. This railway became a symbol of solidarity between China and Africa and remains a model for cooperation within the Global South.

In his speech, President Xi highlighted that the spirit of the Chinese people resonates with that of Africa, noting that China-Africa relations have evolved over 70 years of mutual efforts. He said these relations have now reached their highest point, stressing that the partnership between China and Africa must continue to be a cornerstone of global relations.

President Xi also noted that Africa has a population of more than 2.5 billion people, with a large proportion of them being youth, making it a key region in the path of global modernization. He added that China views Africa as a strategic partner for future cooperation and announced the launch of ten new partnerships over the next three years aimed at enhancing Sino-African modernization.

Xi also pointed out that ideological influences such as “wokeness” in the West may marginalize relationships between developed countries and Africa. He noted that the latest FOCAC summit witnessed cooperation with Portuguese-speaking African countries such as Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Equatorial Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Angola. He added that these Portuguese-speaking African nations, with a combined population of around 76 million, are key strategic partners for China in modernization and international cooperation.

Angola, in particular, is one of China’s major trading partners in Africa, with bilateral trade relations continuously evolving. China seeks to enhance this cooperation in various sectors, including vocational training, skills exchange, and expanding business opportunities.

Regarding philosophical relations, the article explained that China and Africa share many cultural and philosophical values, such as the African concept of “Ubuntu,” which means “humanity.” This concept closely aligns with Chinese philosophy, which emphasizes social and communal relationships. These shared values help strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation between the two peoples.

The article concluded by reaffirming the importance of continuing joint efforts between China and Africa to foster development and modernization, building a shared future based on solidarity and mutual growth.