adminSpeaking to Zimbabwean journalists who are undergoing a media training seminar here on Thursday, the Deputy Director General and Editor-in-Chief of the China International Publishing Group, Mr Huang Tou Yi, said China would not be able to sustain itself without the help of its African friends.
He said China was keen to work closely with Africa to ensure the continent achieved meaningful economic development and be self reliant.
“China is indebted to Africa in many ways. When China was admitted into the United Nations membership it was largely due to a majority vote by Africa. We have a stronger feeling for Africa, we share a common stance in many issues and we cannot forget Africa. It is impossible to think of living without Africa,” said Mr Huang.
“China has a strong sense of collectivism and sympathy for the weak. That is why we are interested in working with our African countries to boost their economy. When we first invited African heads of State to discuss with them issues of economic development, the late Libyan leader Gaddafi rejected the move and urged other countries to boycott the meeting. But China supported Gaddafi during the uprising last year by opposing international attack on Libya.”
Mr Huang said the cordial relations between Africa and China have resulted in increase in trade and business partnerships that have benefited both parties. He said although China was a developing country, it has the obligation to assist its African brothers.
“We have a lot of challenges as a country with more than 100 million of our people living below the international poverty datum line of $1 per day. However, that does not stop us from assisting others.
We wish we could have more resources to assist Africa. China does not live alone. We need friends and partnerships to achieve many things,” said Mr Huang.
The media expert also said China is able to achieve economic development because of the collective efforts of different stakeholders including the contribution of Chinese Diasporas.
He also urged countries to create favourable investment policies that would attract direct foreign investment.
China is one of the world’s emerging economies with a total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $7,48 trillion, next to that of United States, which is about $15 trillion.
The country also has a population of about 1,3 billion, which accounts for 20 percent world population.
Paradoxically, China only has seven percent of arable land with most economic activity taking place on the eastern parts of the country.
A group of 20 Zimbabwean journalists drawn from both the private and public media are attending the training seminar, which ends next week.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter