BEIJING, Aug. 31,
2024 /CNW/ -- Located 95 kilometers southeast of
Addis Ababa, in the heart of the
East African Rift, the Adama Wind Power Project stands tall with
its impressive 80-meter-high white turbines. The project, built by
Chinese companies, is a landmark in the partnership between
China and African countries.
Since they started operating in May
2015, the wind turbines have been a vital source of power
for about 600,000 households. They have helped ease Ethiopia's power shortages, reduced the need
for diesel generators and supported economic growth. Around 2,100
local jobs were created and several universities are involved in
training and maintenance. This hands-on experience has prepared
many for future roles in Ethiopia's wind energy sector.
Adama city has also seen significant growth, with its population
rising from 324,000 in 2015 to over 480,000 in 2023. Improved
infrastructure and investment have attracted businesses from
various countries, leading to rapid changes in the city's
landscape. For nearby villagers, improvements in transportation,
reliable electricity, and enhanced access to education and
healthcare have greatly elevated their quality of life.
Chinese firms have brought advanced green technology to
Ethiopia, helping the government
meet its renewable energy goals. And the collaboration has also
contributed to a green transformation and the global fight against
climate change.
China and African countries
have enjoyed a friendship since World War II, and recent years have
seen increasing collaboration through initiatives like the Belt and
Road Initiative (BRI). From railways and roads to wind farms and
power stations, as well as schools and hospitals, China-assisted infrastructure projects have
supported African economic development across the continent.
The Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway, a transport artery
connecting Ethiopia and
Djibouti, for example, has greatly
cut travel times, reduced logistics cost and boosted local economic
growth. To date, the railway has transported 680,000 passengers and
9.5 million tonnes of cargo, with an average annual growth rate of
39 percent in revenue.
According to the white paper "China and Africa in the New Era: A Partnership of
Equals" released by China's State
Council in 2021, since the establishment of the Forum on
China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2000, Chinese companies have
helped African countries build or upgrade more than 10,000 km of
railways, nearly 100,000 km of highways, roughly 1,000 bridges,
almost 100 ports, and 66,000 km of power transmission and
distribution.
Closer economic and trade ties
Aside from BRI projects, China
and African countries have also developed closer economic and trade
ties with ever-increasing trade volume, diversified commodities and
services. China has been
Africa's largest trading partner
for 15 consecutive years. Data from China's General Administration of Customs
showed that China-Africa trade reached a record high of
$282.1 billion in 2023, up 1.5
percent year on year, and trade between China and Africa rose 5.5 percent year on year to
1.19 trillion yuan (about
$166.6 billion) between January and
July.
According to Sang Baichuan, dean of the Institute of
International Economy at China's
University of International Business and Economics, China-Africa
trade has grown rapidly as a result of win-win cooperation. He said
that the Chinese economy and the economies of African countries are
highly complementary, as China
possesses mature and applicable technologies, equipment, and
sufficient capital, while African countries have significant
advantages in terms of manpower and natural resources.
"Strengthening trade ties between China and Africa is beneficial in leveraging their
respective advantages and vast markets, achieving mutual benefits,
and win-win development," said Sang.
Diane Sayinzoga, a senior official with the United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), also spoke highly of
the China-Africa trade partnership, saying it has
facilitated major infrastructure projects that are crucial for the
economic integration and growth of the African continent.
She added that China's
assistance is also aligned with UNCTAD's goals of promoting
Africa's sustainable development
by enhancing its manufacturing capacities, increasing trade
opportunities, fostering economic diversification, and integrating
African countries into the global value chain.
Beijing is set to hold the 2024
FOCAC Summit from September 4 to 6.
Experts say the forum will be a crucial opportunity for
China and Africa to deepen their economic and trade
relationships, achieving mutual benefits and advancing shared
development goals.
"FOCAC has led to numerous agreements on investment, trade and
development projects between China
and African countries to achieve shared development goals, which
are perfectly in line with UNCTAD's mission," Sayinzoga said.
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-08-30/China-Africa-set-to-embrace-closer-economic-trade-ties-at-FOCAC-1wuF1bzTjVe/p.html
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SOURCE CGTN