China News Service:
The international community is paying more attention to Africa's development. Many countries outside the region are actively engaging in cooperation with African countries. What do you think of the competition and cooperation between China and other countries in Africa? Thank you.
Wu Jianghao:
China and Africa have a long history of cooperation, such as the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA). China-Africa cooperation has witnessed rapid progress over the past decade, and areas of cooperation have also been expanded. With China's increased investment, remarkable outcomes have been made. In this regard, such cooperation is driving more countries to invest in Africa. I think it is a good thing for Africa to get more investment. As a friend of Africa, we are also very delighted to see that. It is the common responsibility of the international community to support Africa's development. China has an open and welcoming attitude toward cooperation that the international community and countries around the world would like to develop with African countries. We believe that Africa is a broad stage for international cooperation rather than an arena for competition among major countries. Moreover, we believe that cooperation with African countries should be carried out on the basis of respecting their sovereignty and true needs, listening to their voice, and give full play to our respective strengths so as to bring tangible benefits to the African people.
President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly this September in an effort to speed up the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The initiative has received broad welcome and support from Africa countries as Africa will be one of the main beneficiaries of the initiative. This May, China and African countries jointly launched the Initiative on Partnership for Africa's Development, aiming to build consensus and add new impetuses to an early victory against COVID-19 and the realization of sustainable development in Africa. China will continue to enhance cooperation with African countries based on the correct concept of upholding justice and joint interests, and wishes to carry out dialogues, exchanges, and cooperation with various parties in this regard.
When we carry forward the joint building of the Belt and Road, an important aspect is triangular cooperation, which, of course, also applies in Africa. At the same time, we welcome more countries and international organizations to join in the Global Development Initiative and the Initiative on Partnership for Africa's Development to form international synergy in supporting African development and helping African countries in their pursuit of stronger, greener, and healthier development. Thank you.
