The relationship between China and Africa is based on more than just trade – it is a partnership that is aligned to Africa’s development goals.
This is according to Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Jeff Radebe during the inaugural China-Africa Media Summit held in Cape Town on Tuesday.
He told delegates at the summit that media leaders from both China and Africa have an opportunity to frame win-win solutions that would deepen the positive trajectory of co-operation and development.
“Together we can take Africa and China forward in positive ways that have never been imagined before,” he said.
Minister Radebe said Africa has been branded as a continent of doom characterised by malnourished babies, poverty, crime, conflict and squalor.
“These problems do exist in our continent, but it is our duty to tell the good story that would help change the negative narrative to an Africa that is a land of opportunities and potential, rich with unique cultural diversity and resources.”
Africa is one of the few continents that are currently experiencing continuous economic growth as measured through average GDP of about 5%, projected to continue improving into the future against the recent global economic recession and financial meltdown.
“We are all duty-bound to ensure that the benefits of this unprecedented economic growth are translated into real socio-economic development for all our people.
He said South African government appreciates the Chinese people, businesses and government for their interest to partner with African countries through mutually beneficial mechanisms like the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
The Sixth Ministerial Meeting of FOCAC in Johannesburg from 3 to 5 December 2015 has ‘Africa-China Progressing Together: Win-Win Cooperation for Common Development’ as its theme.
He said: “Africa and China have forged strong economic relations, particularly since 2009 when China became the continent’s largest trading partner.”
