Marking the start of work after the Chinese holiday on the 1st of March, the President of China Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), President Lin Songtian invited representatives of the Africa-China Leadership in Beijing to visit the All CPAFFC and to learn about their work and study the situation of the young Africans in China.
The Africa-China Leadership was introduced as the achievements and inspirations of China’s reform, opening –up poverty alleviation, and having in-depth exchanges and interactions with them on how to understand China and Africa, and Promote a Win-Win Cooperation and common development in the future, so as to enhance understanding, friendship and consensus.
Sun Xueqing, Vice President of LinYi and Director of the Department of Asia and Africa, was present at the meeting.
President Lin Songtian stated that the most important success secret for China’s great achievements in reform and opening-up lie upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Lin extended Chinese New Year greetings and best wishes to the Africa-China Leadership and stated that this is the first group of foreign guests invited by the Council in the year of the Ox, noting the special friendship between China and Africa.
“We will stick to the concept to the path of peaceful development and adhere to a win-win cooperation and common development with other countries. China’s success also belongs to the world and will provide more options and opportunities for developing countries, including African countries,” he affirmed.
He maintained that the 21st century is the century of Asia, but also of Africa and that Africa is rich in natural and human resources and with great potential for development, for which he pointed out that Africa has emerged and is emerging.
“China – Africa cooperation has broad prospects. Through its own effort, China has blazed a path of peaceful development that suits its national conditions and has Chinese characteristics,” he said.
He affirmed the commitment of Africa-China Leadership to enhancing the friendship between Chinese and Africans for the promotion of common development.
He expressed appreciation and thanks to many African students in China who have chosen to stick with China and stand shoulder to shoulder with the Chinese people during the most difficult period of China’s fight against the pandemic.
Lin emphasized that for any country to develop they should have infrastructure, good educational system and finance and that when a country wants to succeed, they should load in one boat and move in the same direction.
He described himself as African-Chinese and expressed love for Africa as half of his time was spent in African.
He also said that he will be proud to see the constructions of railways in Africa during his tenure.
“If Africans come together, speak one language, they will make it. Africans should learn to save not to work and eat and later search for job after everything has finished,” he advised.
Lin added that China became a Republic because they put the people first, who they work for and that for one to become a leader, one must be in the village, work and study the people which he said is lacking in most Africa countries.
“The Chinese plan ahead and work as a team in any decision making. Human right should be shelter, food, education and security which makes such right. Is up to your leaders to come together as one, learn more skills and open more businesses in your communities to help the poor,” he stated.
African-China Leadership thanked President Lin Songtin for his invitation on the occasion of the Chinese New Year, expressed their personal experiences and feelings working and studying in China, and expressed their sincere admiration for China’s great development achievement under the leadership of the CPC.
The 8 Africa-China Leadership representatives came from seven African countries: Sierra Leone, Kenya, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Rwanda and Uganda, all of them are leaders of China University Students’ Associations or outstanding representatives of African expatriates in China.
This is the second time President Lin Songtian has hosted a dinner for African-China Leadership in China after the Chinese holiday.
The two sides also exchanged views on democracy, human rights, youth cooperation, entrepreneurship and employment and other topics of common concern.
