Beijing, 30 August 2024 (TDI): China intends to enhance its relationship with African nations on the Belt and Road initiative (BRI) by pursuing additional measures, such as strengthening partnerships in developing areas like green development and the digital economy. A study released on Thursday opined.
Representatives from the Belt and Road Initiative noted that collaboration has benefited both parties and contributed to their shared prosperity.
It has also given African countries new momentum for their economic and social growth and strengthened the China-Africa community for the continent’s common destiny.
In an attempt to see the BRI grow in a healthy, environmentally friendly, and technologically advanced manner, they declared that they will intensify their efforts to coordinate policies, build infrastructure, and fortify trade and economic relations.
Africa and China will continue to push BRI cooperation in areas like healthcare, green development, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence, according to a report prepared by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Office of the Leading Group for Promoting the Belt and Road Initiative.
According to the report, China and Africa will collaborate on a number of livelihood projects, including greenhouse farming, biogas promotion, and mushroom cultivation utilizing Chinese technology.
The increased cooperation is intended to accelerate poverty alleviation in Africa and further enhance the continent’s capacity to realize independent and sustainable development.
Xu Jianping, the director of the NDRC’s Department of Regional Opening-up, stated at a news conference in Beijing that China has memorandums of understanding on jointly developing the Belt and Road with 52 African nations and the African Union.
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has seen considerable growth in recent years between China and African nations, especially in areas like infrastructural connectivity, standardization and alignment of regulations, and people-to-people contacts.
Almost 100,000 km of highways, nearly 1,000 bridges, 100 ports, and 66,000 km of power transmission and distribution lines have all been constructed or upgraded by Chinese businesses so far in African nations.
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They have also contributed to the construction of a 150,000 kilometer backbone communications network throughout Africa, according to the research.
Trade between China and Africa demonstrated remarkable resiliency as it reached a record high of $282.1 billion in 2023. According to official figures, China’s direct investment holdings in Africa at the end of the previous year surpassed $40 billion.
According to Xu, who represents the NDRC, greater efforts will be made by both parties to promote collaboration in the areas of innovation, green development, healthcare, and the digital currency.
In addition to creating a digital Silk Road, they will actively investigate new models for collaboration in technology innovation, strengthen healthcare cooperation, and promote green growth.
China and African countries, according to Xu, will quicken the process of partnering Chinese hospitals with African healthcare facilities and expedite the establishment of friendship hospitals between China and Africa.
Through a variety of channels, such as green bonds, environmental protection funds, and green credits, the two parties will work together to carry out green development projects and promote the growth of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power.
China and African countries will assist the development of smart cities on the continent, encourage high-speed internet access throughout Africa, and bolster the building of relevant infrastructure in terms of digital development and innovation.
Along with supporting the creation of China-Africa joint laboratories, partner institutions, and technical innovation cooperation bases, Xu added that more efforts will be made to enhance collaboration in information technology tools, including 5G, big data, cloud computing, fintech, and AI.
The China-Africa Innovation Cooperation and Development Forum will continue to be held, he said, and China and Africa will forge closer partnerships in innovation cooperation, fully implement the Belt and Road Science, Technology, and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan, and construct the China-Africa Innovation Cooperation Center.
“In order to jointly create an open, equitable, just, and nondiscriminatory environment for technological growth, China will assist African nations in developing more high-tech talent and share with them its experience in developing scientific and technological innovation,” Xu continued.
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According to Li Juan, deputy head of the International Cooperation Department of the National Health Commission, China has completed the construction of 25 specialized cooperation centers and has relations with 46 hospitals throughout 41 African countries and regions
“We will keep sending top-notch medical teams to underserved African nations, strengthen ties between hospitals in China and Africa, and assist in the development of important specialized facilities in order to collectively advance the advancement of healthcare and medical services in both regions,” she continued.
