African officials remark on China's progress under CPC

Officials from African political parties made comments on the governing philosophy of the Communist Party of China and its importance to the country's progress and development at a recent webinar.

Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era is important for his party and country, said Michel-Phjilippe Nze, second deputy secretary-general of the Gabonese Democratic Party at the webinar, which was held by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee last week.

This philosophy has played a significant role in guiding the CPC and Chinese people to realize social development and reformation, he added.

The Gabonese Democratic Party highly appreciates that the CPC puts people first, advocates common development and takes people's interests as its ultimate goal of governance, he said, adding the tremendous development of China has drawn world attention and there is no other country that has secured such huge achievements in a few decades.

Gabon resolutely supports China's development philosophy and the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, he said, adding his firm opposition to hegemony and power politics by certain countries.

Nze said Gabon has effectively brought the virus under control with Chinese assistance. The pandemic would be catastrophic for Gabon and most African countries without China's help, he added.

Noting Western suspicion of China's vaccines, he defended them as safe and efficient. "Most citizens in my country have taken Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines and facts have proven these vaccines are safe."

The CPC has not only the vision but also the ability to solve problems and deliver its commitments, said John James Akpanudoedehe, national secretary of the All Progressives Congress in Nigeria.

Noting eradicating extreme poverty is a milestone in the history of humankind, Akpanudoedehe said China has met the first target of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule, which serves as an inspiration to African countries.

The idea of common prosperity is of great significance to Nigeria and the world at large, he said, adding only by pursuing common prosperity can people be unified and consensus reached.

Akpanudoedehe found the CPC attaches great importance to Party-building to enhance its ruling capabilities. He mentioned the Party's efforts in anti-corruption, such as "taking out tigers", "swatting flies" and "hunting down foxes", saying it is a good reference for Africa.

He appreciated that the CPC focuses on the building of primary-level Party organizations to make sure grassroots officials serve the Party and the people.

The CPC's experience is useful, as it constantly reforms itself to tackle challenges and protect the well-being of the people, he added.

Kebede Kassa, head of the Public Relations Bureau of the Prosperity Party of Ethiopia, also lauded the CPC for its focus on Party-building.

Noting the CPC has more than 95 million members, he said what surprised him was when he visited Chinese counties he found Party members at the grassroots level thought in the same way as the top leadership of the CPC.

He also said the vision of the Party's leadership combined with well-structured organization ensure high unity in thinking and action, and said President Xi is a leader with a global vision. The vision of building a community with a shared future proposed by President Xi has won unanimous endorsement from most developing countries, he added.

Kassa noted there are over 140 countries that have signed cooperation documents for the Belt and Road Initiative with China, showing China pursues common development with other countries.

It is "a big achievement for the leadership of the CPC" to provide over 120 countries with 2.1 billion vaccine doses, he added.

Xi had announced in November that China would provide an additional 1 billion doses to African countries — 600 million as donations and another 400 million provided by joint production between China and African countries.