EXPLORING DEVELOPMENT PATH THAT ARE SUITABLE TO NATIONAL CONDITIONS,AND BUILDING A COMMUNITY WITH A SHARED FUTURE FOR CHINA AND AFRICA
——SIDELIGHTS ON THE CPC IN DIALOGUE WITH WORLD POLITICAL PARTIES HIGH-LEVEL MEETING AFRICA THEMATIC EVENT

HUANG HAN & HE CHENQING

both from Bureau of African Affairs, International Department of CPC Central Committee

The Communist Party of China(CPC) in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting Africa Thematic Event, organized by the International Department of CPC Central Committee and co-hosted by Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) of Tanzania, was held in Dar es Salaam,Tanzania on July 17, 2018. That was the first time that an event of the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties was held outside China and in Africa. The event brought the CPC and nearly 200 representatives from 38 political parities and organizations of 36 African countries to meet in the “adobe of peace”and exchange ideas over “theories and practices of the CPC and African Political Parties in exploring development paths suitable to national situation” and contribute their wisdom to building a community of a shared future for China and Africa.

Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended the opening ceremony and gave a keynote speech named “Stay Committed to Development Paths Suitable to National Conditions and Jointly Build a China-Africa Community with a Shared Future”. In his speech, Song explained in depth Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, introduced China’s major experience in adhering to the socialism with Chinese characteristics,and believed that the “Chinese Dream”goes hand in hand with the “African Dream”, and that China and Africa are increasingly seeing their destiny woven together. He said that the CPC stands ready to work with African political parities to find answers to exploring development roads that are in line with national conditions, to reach consensus over building a China-African community of a shared future for the new era, and to contribute to the noble cause of humanity’s peace and development.Song’s speech was strongly resonated among the representatives present, who gave him many rounds of applause. Xu Lvping, the then Vice-minister of the International Department of CPC Central Committee, presided over the opening ceremony of the event and spoke at the closing ceremony. During the meeting, Chinese officials from the General Office of the CPC Central Committee,Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC, the organizing department of the CPC Central Committee, Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chinese Ministry of Commerce and other departments had in-depth exchanges of ideas with African representatives over the theme of the event.

President of Tanzania and Chairman of CCM, John Magufuli attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. He spoke highly of China’s great contribution to supporting African countries, Tanzania included, in winning their independence and national development, and stressed that development is the top priority for African countries and expressed his hope that they can further partner with China and learn from its success and lessons to achieve common development.

Leaders of the ruling parties of some African countries, such as Second Vicepresident of Zanzibar Seif Ali, General Secretary of CCM Bashiru Ally, Chairman of Liberia’s Coalition for Democratic Change(CDC) Mulbah Morlu, Vice-chairman Fofana, Second Vice-president of the Union for the Republic of Mauritania Diallo,Lesotho’s All Basotho Convention Party Vice-chairman Mosesni and its General Secretary Samonyane Ntsekele, Gambia’s United Democratic Party national Vicechairman Yabo, Kenya’s Jubilee Party General Secretary Raphael Tuju, Burundi’s National Council for the Defense of Democracy General Secretary Evariste Ndayishimiye, the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front General Secretary Obert Mpofu, Namibia’s SWAPO Party General Secretary Sophia Shaningwa, the Liberation Front of Mozambique General Secretary Roque Silva Samuel, South Africa’s African National Congress General Secretary Ace Magashule and Cape Verde’s Movement for Democracy General Secretary Monteiro, were present at the event.

On July 17th, 2018, Minister Song Tao of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech titled “Stay Committed to Development Paths Suitable to National Conditions and Jointly Build a China-Africa Community with a Shared Future”.

John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, President of Tanzania and Chairman of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech.

The event, held under the framework of the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parities High-level Meeting, is one of the important activities to implement the initiative of institutionalizing the Dialogue proposed by General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, and one of the innovative ways to its institutionalization. Candid communication and in-depth exchanges of ideas among the representatives help inspire China and African countries to explore development paths to modernization, and political parties to reach consensus over and contribute to building a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Africa for the new era.

Xi’s Concept of Community of Shared Future for Mankind Widely Lauded

General Secretary Xi Jinping spoke about the bright prospects of building a community of shared future for mankind in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the first CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parities High-Level Meeting in Beijing at the end of 2017. His “Four Initiatives” on how to build a better world were well received and widely applauded, and at the same time was closely followed by many ruling parities of African countries which have traditionally enjoyed deep friendship with CPC and shared similar governance philosophy and common understanding with CPC.

In sessions of in-depth discussion over the theme, many African representatives talked about General Secretary Xi’s proposal of building a community of shared future for mankind, and expressed their aspirations of working with China to promote it.

Lesotho’s All Basotho Convention Party General Secretary Samonyane Ntsekele said, “General Secretary Xi Jinping’s proposal of building a community of shared future for mankind,which provides the best solution to global issues and turns a new page in the book of global cooperation, will be greatly helpful in promoting common development and lasting peace of all the nations in the world”.

Tito Rutaremara, a senior member of the Rwandan Patriotic Front’s executive committee, said “Though the concept of building a community of shared future for mankind is rooted in the traditional Chinese philosophy of valuing harmony, it is similar to Pan-Africanism of Africa and widely supported by Africa and the whole world. One of the most important paths to building a community of shared future for China and Africa,and humanity at large is to unite and integrate, and to make African counties integrate with the big family of the rest of the world”.

Saleh, a member of the Political Bureau of Chadian Patriotic Salvation Movement, said “General Secretary Xi Jinping’s proposal of building a community of shared future for mankind values peace, unity, cooperation, equality, mutual benefits, win-win result,which showcases that China has taken its responsibility as a major country and contributed to global governance. It is one of the most hailed public goods China has offered the world”.

Oscar, legal secretary of the Central Secretariat of the National Resistance Movement of Uganda, said “The National Resistance Movement of Uganda firmly supports General Secretary Xi Jinping’s strategic initiative of building a community of shared future for man-kind and a better world, and will make its own contribution following the principles of mutual respect and mutual benefits”.

The CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting Africa Thematic Event marks the first time that the high-level meeting has even been convened outside China. The event was attended by almost 200 Chinese and foreign representatives from 38 African political parties and political organizations in 36 African countries. They shared their wisdom to advance the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future. The picture shows an African representative delivering remarks at the venue.

Different from the idea of civilization communication in the West, the concept of a community of shared future for mankind is rooted in simple pursuit of such traditional values as“good neighborliness”, “the harmony of the whole world” and other values that have been passed on from generation to generation in the traditional Chinese culture, and shows Chinese characteristics and Chinese style. Such pursuit for mankind’s common interests has been widely resonated in African countries.That once again proves that African countries will be China’s sincere partners and determined fellow travelers on the march towards building a community of shared future for mankind.

Following Development Paths Suitable to National Conditions

What development path and political mode a country chooses is closely related to its own national conditions, and is also the result of long-term efforts and hard work of its ruling party and the entire population. The Chinese people,under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and based on China’s realities, have explored the socialist path with Chinese characteristics in line with the country’s national conditions in a long-term practice. The success of the mode has expanded the way for developing countries to modernize themselves, provided brand new choices for countries and nations that wish to boost their development and at the same time maintain independence, and given Chinese wisdom and solutions to problems facing humanity.

Most African countries are now in the early stages of economic transformation and industrialization. Their ruling parties are faced with tough tasks of boosting economic development and improving people's livelihood. Therefore,they are eager to learn from China’s successful experience and at the same time speak highly of the theoretical and practical significance of the Chinese experience and model. Mulbah Morlu,CDC Chairman said, “The fundamental reason for the success of the Chinese mode is that the Communist Party of China always puts the interests of their people in the first place. No matter what national conditions they are faced with, if African political parties want to embark on a similar development path to China, they must learn the essence of the Chinese experience, which is to place their people at the top of their national development strategy”.

Abdullah, Vice-minister for international department of Sudan’s National Congress Party, said, “The Chinese experience can serve as a valuable lesson for African countries to improve their people’s living standard and promote national development. African ruling parties should learn from the successful development mode China has explored in its reform and opening up efforts for the past four decades, and reshape it into ‘African mode’ based on the actual conditions in Africa”.

General Secretary Sophia Shaningwa of the SWAPO Party of Namibia said,“China practices Marxism through the socialist path with Chinese characteristics. We believe that socialism is the development path most suitable for Africa. Economically, Namibia has learnt from the market economy mode with Chinese characteristic, where the state controls key industries and at the same time enables a full play of the market’s vitality”. Sigine, Special Adviser to the President of Senegal, said “For African countries, what we admire most is that China does not export its development mode, but it just shows its successful practice on development for others to learn from instead of copy”.

The foreign language versions of books Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, and Up and Out of Poverty were quickly snapped up by African representatives after being displayed on the shelves. Representatives from Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe, whose journey took more than 20 hours and several transfers, were excited and said“Despite a tiring journey, we still think we are lucky to have come here for the thematic event to learn more about the Chinese experience”. Representatives from Liberia, South Sudan, Djibouti and Senegal expressed their envy of CCM of Tanzania, and hoped that such event could be held in their own countries next time so that they could get more inspiration for their own independent development path in line with their own national conditions.

China-African Cooperation Boosts African Development

General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly made it clear that friendship and justice, which defines China-Africa relations, require us to facilitate Africa’s development endeavor with China’s development and ultimately deliver winwin progress and common development through mutually beneficial cooperation. For a long period, China has been adhering to the Africa policy of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith,upholding the values of friendship,justice and shared interests, and focusing on how to “impart its knowledge”to Africa for building its own continent,which has brought tangible benefits to both the Chinese and African people.

These representatives, who have witnessed the powerful China-Africa cooperation driving force behind the development of Africa, expressed their sincere gratitude to China in their speeches. Director of International Relations for the New Patriotic Party(NPP) Emmanuel Danso Attefah said“In the past several decades, Africa has obtained political independence and liberation, but it has not yet gotten rid of the pattern of colonial exploitation.China and Africa have engaged in cooperation based on principles of mutual respect and benefit, and China-Africa cooperation provides new opportunities for Africa’s development, which benefit Africa the most”. Mulbah Morlu,CDC Chairman, said “China’s ‘peoplecentered’ concept has benefited not only the Chinese people, but also the African people. Since President George Weah opens up our national economy, Liberia has been benefiting from China-African cooperation, for which we’re deeply grateful”. Representative of the Jubilee Party of Kenya Franklin said, “Africa,rich in natural and human resources,has great potential for development in agriculture, animal husbandry, mining and energy. China-Africa cooperation is highly complementary, and when China uses its advanced technology to help Africa improve its resource output capacity, both sides are winners. The industrialization of African resources allows the African economy to further integrate with the world economy”.General Secretary Sophia Shaningwa of the SWAPO Party of Namibia said,“China is a true all-weather friend for Namibia and a best ally for Africa.With its strong financial and scientific strengths, China supports Africa’s development and brings multiplier effects for African economic growth. We must defend a long-term friendly relationship with China and promote the deepening and development of China-Africa comprehensive strategic partnership”.

While speaking, many African representatives recalled the history of their own countries’ cooperation with China and listed key projects of China-Africa cooperation in recent years. The National Theatre in Dakar of Senegal, the cross-sea bridge in Maputo of Mozambique, the TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone in Sukhna of Egypt, the sports Centre in Brazzaville of the Republic of Congo, the Port of Tema of Ghana, and other projects of agriculture, industry, infrastructure and people’s livelihood not only help Africa realize its development and improve its people’s living standard, but also help it improve its own “self-development”capabilities. These stories were spread among African representatives. Many representatives expressed their heartfelt thanks to China by ending their speeches with “Long Live China, and Long Live the Communist Part of China”.

New Prospects for China-African Cooperation

The Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-African Cooperation (FOCAC)was held successfully in September. Chinese and African leaders met again in Beijing to improve friendship and cooperation, promote further coordination among China’s Belt and Road Initiative,the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, African Union’s 2063 Agenda,and development strategies of various African countries, make plans for the win-win cooperation between China and Africa for the new era and seek new prospects for common development.

African representatives highly recognize the positive role the FOCAC has played in promoting mutual benefit and common development for China and Africa. The Minister of Ministry of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives of Mauritius said “Africa and China enjoy deep friendship, and face similar challenges to development, which lays a solid foundation for the FOCAC to promote peace and development of Africa”.

Many African representatives said Africa is a natural stretch of the Maritime Silk Road, and China’s Belt and Road Initiative has promoted China-African cooperation in areas of policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and peopleto-people bonds, and produced some signature projects improving regional connectivity such as Mombasa-Nairobi Railway and Addisababa-Djibouti Railway. African political parties are willing to join hands with the CPC to further promote African-China cooperation in various fields under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, and put new strong impetus to their mutually beneficial cooperation in order to secure win-win outcome and common development.

Outside the venue in Dar es Salaam,some local singers were performing a Chinese folk song, the lyric of which goes “Beijing’s sunshine all over itself and beyond…” The performers were brilliant with kind and sincere smile,which struck the heartstring of both Chinese and African representatives,presenting them with a beautiful memento of CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting Africa Thematic Event.