As African countries strive to boost industrialization and pursue sustainable development, China-Africa production capacity cooperation becomes the right thing at the right time for both sides.[Special coverage]
For Africa, which is trying to move away from a donor dependency syndrome and to develop its own manufacturing capacity, China is a natural partner.
China's technology, expertise as well as its strong will to share with Africa can undoubtedly facilitate the continent's modernization.
UPGRADED COOPERATION
"Partnerships must be based on knowledge and technology transfer, not merely on FDI (foreign direct investment)," said Fay Chung, a Chinese-Zimbabwean scholar and two-term minister in President Robert Mugabe's cabinet. "The development of the brains and values of Zimbabwe are key to the future."
Her opinion was echoed by Munene Macharia, an international relations lecturer at the U.S. International University in Nairobi, Kenya.
"The prospects are bright. The two sides would need to develop a common vision as to industries and other aspects of human development," he said.
Chung, also author of "Zimbabwe Looking East," said a "skewed" model of cooperation between Africa and the West was partly to blame for the underdevelopment and widespread poverty in Africa since it focused mainly on the production of primary goods for the West.
However, China, as a traditional friend of Africa, will not follow Western countries' track, and will not sacrifice Africa's environment and long-term interests.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said that China will help Africa with industrialization, food security, public health and disease prevention.
China will help Africa achieve self-development and create a peaceful and stable environment for long-term progress. China does not attach political conditions to assistance, nor does it constrain or interfere in the domestic affairs of African countries, said Wang.
Vice Commerce Minister Qian Keming said that China will increase investment in Africa, export advanced industrial production capacity to the continent and buy more non-resource products from it.
Professor Gerishon Ikiara, economist and associate director at the Nairobi University's Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies, said: "Today, most African countries look at China as the most suitable partner in their national industrialization and other economic development programs."
