China, Africa joining hands for modernization

Editor's note: Beijing announced in February that it will fully implement zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries with diplomatic relations with China, starting from May 1. People's Daily spoke to Ye Hailin, president of the China-Africa Institute, about the development of China-Africa relations over the past decades and their future prospects. Below are excerpts of the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

The past 70 years of China-Africa relations witnessed joint efforts to explore the path to modernization. China supported African countries in their anti-imperialist and anti-colonial struggles and pursuit of national liberation. Africa supported the restoration of the People's Republic of China's lawful seat in the United Nations. The two sides have developed profound political mutual trust by supporting each other at critical moments.

China and Africa complement each other in terms of their economic structures and there is enormous cooperation potential to be tapped, particularly in trade, infrastructure, agriculture and education.

Established in 2000, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation has become an important platform for dialogue between China and African countries and an effective mechanism for the joint development of relations. At the 2024 FOCAC Summit in Beijing, both sides agreed to build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

Chinese modernization involves material and cultural-ethical advancement, harmony between humanity and nature and peaceful development. In forging its own modernization path, the country has dispelled the myth equating "modernization" with Westernization.

Many African countries have taken heed of the lessons learned from blindly copying the Western path, as doing so may lead to setbacks in their pursuit of growth.

More and more African nations are exploring their own diverse approaches to modernization according to their national conditions. They share a commitment to advancing regional economic integration, prioritizing infrastructure development, accelerating industrialization and pursuing sustainable and eco-friendly growth.

Such a vision provides China and Africa broad prospects for cooperation. They have aligned their Belt and Road cooperation with the African Union's Agenda 2063, the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and respective national development strategies.

China's innovative development of its traditional culture inspired African countries to tap into their own traditional cultures while keeping an eye on the future. And China's experience in poverty alleviation, infrastructure construction and the development of science and technology offers an important reference for African countries.

With China and Africa working together to build an all-weather community with a shared future, remarkable progress has been made in Africa. Infrastructure has improved and regional connectivity has been enhanced. The launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area has deepened regional economic cooperation and accelerated coordination within industry chains.

By developing special economic zones and industrial parks, Africa is making substantial progress in industrialization. Programs such as the Luban Workshop, an international program China initiated to promote vocational education, have helped improve the technical and management skills of young people in Africa.

The combined population of China and Africa accounts for about one-third of the world's total. Their joint pursuit of modernization provides an important example for the Global South and will shape a new landscape for humanity too.