African ambassadors hope for new hights for China-Africa co-op

African ambassadors to China have high hopes for the upcoming Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Ambassadors from Niger, Ghana, and Gabon are all expecting the summit to raise China-Africa ties to a higher level.

The Beijing summit will follow up on the Johannesburg summit from 3 years ago, when Chinese President Xi Jinping announced 10 major China-Africa cooperation plans.

China has since carried out its promises to help African countries achieve sustainable development.

Niger's ambassador to China Inoussa Moustapha (China Plus Photo/Cai Jun)

Niger's ambassador to China, Inoussa Moustapha, says he appreciated China's efforts in pushing for the modernization of agriculture in Africa.

"Take agriculture as an example. It is the foundation for economic development in many African countries. Over the past 3 years, China has helped them to replace Traditional agricultural methods with modern projects. China brought modern techniques, ideas, and equipment to Africa under these cooperation plans," Moustapha says.  

It's believed that China's achievements since its Reform and Opening Up started 40 years ago provide a good example for other developing countries about the potential benefits of opening national economies to the world.

Ghana's ambassador Edward Boateng (China Plus Photo/Baba Ahmad Jidda)

Ghana's ambassador Edward Boateng names a few things that he thinks Africa could learn from China.

"What I like about the Chinese is their 'can do' spirit. I think that is the first thing our leaders need to learn, and to let it trickle down to the public at large. The second thing that I think we need to learn is discipline – discipline of purpose, discipline of focus, discipline of achievement, and discipline of diligence," Boateng says.  

Gabon's ambassador to China Baudelaire Ndong Ella (China Plus Photo)

Gabon's ambassador Baudelaire Ndong Ella says that the shared aspects of the approach to development in both China and Africa will help to bring the people of China and Africa even closer together.

"China and Africa have similar histories, the same development needs, and the same political requests. China is on course to realize its Chinese dream of achieving national rejuvenation and its 'Two Centenary Goals', while Africa is dedicated to the African dream of boosting industrialization and modernization, as it strides toward the African Union's Agenda 2063. China and Africa, the Chinese dream and the African dream, they are all aimed at the happiness of the people, for them to have a better life. This is also the purpose for deepening cooperation at the Beijing summit," the ambassador says.

The Beijing summit is scheduled for early next month and will be chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Besides political and economic cooperation, exchange between youths will also be a highlight.