China urges economic cooperation in Africa
The China International Publishing Group (CIPG) has urged cooperation among African countries especially on the economic front, stating that member states with higher and lower economic statuses must not use these discrepancies to compete, but to complement each other.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the 2017 Seminar for Renowned Editors from African Countries in Beijing, China on Thursday, CIPG vice- president Wang Gangyi said Africa has great potential, and that his country has great hope for the continent’s development.
Wang urged the participants at the seminar to evaluate China’s contribution to Africa, the benefits that citizens in Africa get from this contribution and how best the relationship between Beijing and individual African countries can be enhanced.
“This meeting must help to share experiences, but also some comments both in our profession and in socio-economic development. We want to hear from you, that is, your observations, practice, and reflections about China, poverty reduction, people’s benefits, China’s relations with Africa and individual countries and how this relationship can be enhanced,” he said.
Wang added: “I strongly believe that Africa is a land of great potential and hope. If you compare Africa to other economies, you find that the African economy is at different levels, some at higher while others at lower levels. These discrepancies present opportunities for cooperation, because they are complementary, they are not competing against each other. Just like China and Africa, we are not competing, but complementing each other.”
He then challenged journalists in Africa to tell stories that enhance development of their respective countries and the continent at large, observing that most stories about the continent are told by foreign media, but in the negative way.
In times of conflicts, rampant corruption and others ills, Wang said the mass media must find solutions and advise government on how such problems could be solved, rather than focusing on the negative.
A representative of the participants, Rania Gouda from Egypt, said the seminar confirms China’s interest in helping African member States to grow into stronger economies, through the use of the media in disseminating right developmental messages to the masses.
Themed around media exchanges and cooperation, the seminar consists of three parts: lecture, visits to media organisations and workshop.
A total of 27 journalists from seven African countries are attending the seminar.
