Kwaku Amponsah Asiama, New Patriotic Party
The China-Africa cooperation has been a sensational and an encouraging development because it seeks to create a pool of opportunities for both China and Africa.
From Agriculture to Infrastructure to Healthcare and even to Education, China and Africa are both making advancement in development in various sectors and well-being.
I deem it a great honor that I present a report on the 7th China-Africa Youth Festival organized by the Foreign Ministry of the People’s Republic of China, which seeks to bridge the wide gap between China and Africa.
Let us explore this cooperation as I invite you to delve into its accomplishments, challenges and future possibilities of this blossoming friendship.
The opening ceremony of the festival was graced with high-level officials from PRCs Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the various African Ambassadors in China, Keynote addresses and Speeches where delivered on the importance of the China-African cooperation.
Cooperation in Agriculture, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Technology, Natural Recourses, youth development and cultural exchanges were the key focus during the 7th edition of the festival.
The Speakers discussed the challenges and opportunities related to these subject to promote the cooperation between China and Africa.
The team from Africa has the opportunity to visit important places in the history of the PRC, the Great Wall of China, the National Museum of the CPC, and Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling amongst others.
Also, the team had the opportunity to visit the Shandong Province of China, A province with GDP of almost a trillion dollars is indeed huge but not surprising tho because it’s coupled with high levels of industrialization, Agriculture, Education and Tourism as well as good healthcare system basically these drive the Economy of every nation.
Not forgetting the Shandong Port Group, which apparently is one of the biggest port in the world and 2nd in China. A well-structured automated shipping network.
Taking a look at the Tourism center of the Province is the Shandong’s Mount Tai the most revered mountain of Taoism and a site with one of the longest histories of the world, I appreciated my visit to the mountains. Also in the province is the famous yellow river.
Also in Shandong is the city of Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius and which was later established as the center of Confucianism, a history that can’t be taken away from the Shandongs and the PRC at large
It was evident that China is indeed a world super power and African is on the path as well, nevertheless, the scarcity of infrastructure and funds, the digital gap and low computer literacy are a few challenges that needs to be addressed to enhance the cooperation and accelerate the growth of Africa.
China attracts a lot of tourists from all over the world to catch a glimpse of the country’s rich culture, history and its scenic beauty.
These are just a few sites mentioned but there are a lot of other attractions that make China stand out and a memorable destination
In Conclusion, I strongly believe the cooperation between China and Africa has a promising future with new and great opportunities for both sides to benefit from.
To ensure a successful cooperation, it is important that both teams continue to work jointly.
Africa countries can make the most of the cutting-edge technologies and skill-set of China and on the other hand, China can benefit from the numerous natural resources and trade in Africa.
However, there are few challenges that needs to be addressed to make the cooperation a super successful one and to further ensure that both teams benefit mutually to advance innovation and sustainable economic growth.
I will end this report with this abbreviation T. E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieved More) and an adage in one of the local dialects in my country Ghana ‘ pray3 , s3 Woyi baako a, ebu; wokab) mu a, emmu ‘ to wit, one broom can easily break but a bunch of them is difficult to break’
The festival was a success and I thank the Chinese Embassy and the General Secretary of NPP, for such an opportunity.