Building together for the future

A1 China-Africa economic relations have grown extensively since the beginning of this century. The two sides should push on with this collaboration in the fields of infrastructure, technology transfer and personnel training. However, over the next few years the two sides will gradually shift their emphasis from large-scale expansion to improving quality and efficiency. They should also open up new areas of collaboration. Many countries have high expectations for China in logistics and e-commerce. As for personnel training, they hope that in addition to China's providing opportunities for African technicians to receive training from China, greater effort can be made in setting up large-scale regional technical training centers in Africa to improve the efficiency and coverage of training.

A2 Both China and Africa have diagnosed the main problems holding back Africa's development, namely, infrastructure, skills shortages and insufficient funds. China can give strong support to Africa in these areas. In tackling the problem of insufficient funds, China has launched large-scale projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative.

There has been a lot of talk recently about China, Europe and the US working together to promote Africa's development. China is most willing to collaborate with other countries and regions. China is also delighted to see the willingness of Europe and the United States to help African countries grow.

A3 Agriculture is the foundation of a country, and as a Chinese saying has it, "No agriculture, no stability." So ensuring adequate food for Africans is the first priority. China and Africa have a long history of working together in agriculture and have made remarkable progress. About 25 technology demonstration centers have been established in Africa since 2000. China has paid great attention to the situation on the ground when collaborating with countries on agricultural projects. China and Africa have worked well together at every level, including technology transfer, technology upgrading, breeding, cultivating talent and expanding markets.

A4 The most important thing is local conditions. The second-most important thing is to help African countries with their security, political and legal environment.

When African countries look to China as an exemplar they should abide by the same principle, that is, to combine what they learn from China with their own national conditions. However, we will never force the Chinese model on African countries; it is up to them to choose the path they wish to follow.

Finally, in China-African relations the principle should be that every party wins.

A5 With the expansion and deepening of China-Africa collaboration, as can be seen in the production capacity and the rise of African industrial parks, African exports of manufactured goods to China will only increase. E-commerce will help African countries better promote and export their products to China and other countries, and at the same time help African countries solve problems with the circulation of goods at the domestic or regional level.

Li Dan, head of the African Studies Center of China Foreign Affairs University, Beijing