'Voices of the people' discuss progress

The Chinese government is actively encouraging the nation's private companies to expand into overseas markets, particularly those in Africa, Vice-President Li Yuanchao said on Aug 26.

Speaking at the China-Africa People's Forum, he said private companies have become a major force in helping China to transfer its excess capacity in a fast and innovative way.

Based on development experiences gained over the past three decades, China's private companies are equipped with solid investment capacity, advanced technology and suitable management experience, all elements needed for Africa's industrialization, he says.

Li also calls for a better business environment in Africa to attract more private investment and aid mutually beneficial development.

The forum - jointly organized by the Network for International Exchanges, a Chinese NGO, and the African Union's Economic, Social and Cultural Council - was held in Yiwu. The city, in China's eastern Zhejiang province, is considered by the United Nations and the World Bank to be the world's largest consumer goods market.

During the event, Chinese and African speakers espoused the value of mutual understanding, growing bilateral investment, joining efforts to build a China-Africa community of shared destinies, and embracing people-to-people friendship.

About 200 representatives from China and almost 30 African countries, as well as officials from the African Union and UN Development Programme, gathered at the forum to discuss the significance of connecting the people of these two regions.

In his opening remarks to delegates, Dama Dramani, president of the National Assembly of Togo, said mutual trust between China and Africa was strengthening, especially in the political arena.

"This allows us to look for people-to-people exchanges," he says. "The strengthening of the relationship between political parties must be given more vigor and vitality. Also, the role of NGOs is crucial in strengthening people-to-people exchanges."

Shu Zhan, a former Chinese ambassador to Eritrea and Rwanda, says two sides must satisfy each other's demands through discussion and negotiation to achieve common development.

"Africa doesn't just want economic development," he says, "it wants a homegrown solution that makes its development sustainable. So when Chinese and Africans are driving on the same road in Africa, just leave the steering to the Africans."

He adds that China's future investment in Africa should help partner countries further develop their value-added industry.

Former Namibian president Hifikepunye Pohamba says the forum is a vital tool in the promotion of interaction between China and Africa.

"The time is right to discuss in a frank manner the topics that have been identified in this forum," he says. "The focus of the forum is the exploration of new possibilities in trade and commerce for mutual benefit."

Kamal Abdellatif Abdelrahim Mohamed, of the National Congress Party of Sudan, described those gathered at the forum as the voice of their country: "Let us think about what we are taking back home. We need to reflect our people's values."

In a video message, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said Africa's plan to transform itself structurally, economically and technologically by 2063 clearly articulated what the people of the continent desire.

The China-Africa People's Forum was initiated in Kenya in 2011, and was held in China and Sudan in 2012 and 2014, respectively.

Contact the writers at lilianxing@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 08/28/2015 page3)