China calls for 'shared future for mankind'
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Friday November 9, 2018 12:44
Speaking at a public lecture titled: China Africa Cooperation and China Botswana Relations at the University of Botswana on Wednesday, Zhao said they provided the Chinese solution toward an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.
He explained that the notion suggests a direction for the world in which countries can make joint efforts to achieve a common goal.
“Since its inception, the notion has gained wider international recognition and was written into the resolution of the UN Security Council in March 2017 after a unanimous vote.
Today, I’d like to start from an indispensable part of the notion: China-Africa community with a shared future, and share with you my thoughts on China-Africa and China-Botswana relations.”
“Over the years, with our similar historical experiences, development tasks and political aspirations, the Chinese and African peoples have shared weal and woe, embarked on a distinctive path of win-win cooperation and formed an increasingly stronger community.
China and Africa are good brothers with sincerity, friendship, equality and mutual respect,” he said.
Zhao also stated that China-Africa friendly relations follow the basic norms of international relations with the UN Charter at the centre. He said they adhere to the five principles of peaceful co-existence and firmly support each other in taking the development path of their own choice and safeguarding their core interests and major concerns.
He explained that China fully supports African countries in fighting against colonialism and imperialism, opposing foreign interference and achieving national independence and unity.
On the other hand, Zhao revealed that African countries have supported China in restoring her legitimate seat in the UN and consistently adhered to One China policy. He said they work together to safeguard the common interests of developing countries and emerging markets.
“China firmly supports African countries in developing national economies, promoting independent and diversified development, and promoting industrialisation, agricultural modernisation and African integration.
The two sides have fully utilised the advantages of economic complementarity and continuously expanded pragmatic cooperation in various fields,” he noted.
He added that the Chinese side adheres to the principle of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith advocated by President Xi, closely integrating China’s own development with the development of Africa.
Being the second largest economy in the world, he said, China welcomes African countries to take the advantage of China’s fast development. He pointed out that the trade volume between China and Africa increased from more than $900 million in 1990 to $170 billion in 2017 making China Africa’s largest trading partner for nine consecutive years.
The two sides have been conducting sincere exchanges on the basis of mutual respect, which has ‘continuously deepened the people-to-people and cultural cooperation between us’.
Combating the Ebola epidemic, sending medical teams and young volunteers to Africa are vivid examples of the Chinese people’s selfless help to Africa.