On way to improving resource management

The just concluded summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation drew global attention, and there is widespread agreement that successful South-South cooperation mechanisms can promote mutual development, and enable the participating countries to better respond to global challenges. But that success is not coming easily.

African and Chinese leaders frequently speak of the need for stronger and deeper cooperation: expanding from the usual energy and infrastructure investment and trade deals into new sectors to bring growth for both partners and create a shared future. China and Africa have already agreed to work together on mid-to longterm goals including the Belt and Road Initiative, the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and African growth and renewal.

The two sides could now deepen cooperation on the management and use of natural resources, and on environmental protection - with each contributing its strengths and achieving new breakthroughs in win-win development.