Algerian envoy: China-Africa cooperation has aroused envy
Updated 22:13, 02-May-2020
CGTN
02:53

Cooperation between China and Africa, which has seen remarkable progress over the past years, has aroused "admiration and envy" in the world, Algerian Ambassador to China Ahcene Boukhelfa said in a recent interview with CGTN. 

Commenting on  media reports alleging mistreatment of African people in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Boukhelfa said those reports were probably aimed at causing differences between Africans and Chinese and damaging relations on the two sides. 

"We have noticed that what was reported was wrong ... in the sense that measures taken by provincial authorities were misunderstood by some media, or exaggerated to cause differences between Africans and Chinese," the ambassador said. 

Chinese authorities have denied discrimination against Africans in Guangzhou, stressing that the country treats all foreign nationals equally in its coronavirus response.

Workers unload medical supplies donated by China at Algiers International Airport in Algiers, Algeria, April 15, 2020. /Xinhua

Workers unload medical supplies donated by China at Algiers International Airport in Algiers, Algeria, April 15, 2020. /Xinhua

"There is no doubt that China-Africa cooperation, whether bilateral between China and individual members, or multilateral cooperation based on the China-Africa forum (Forum on China-Africa Cooperation), has aroused a lot of admiration and envy," Boukhelfa told CGTN. 

"The purpose of those media reports was probably to damage China-Africa relations," he said, adding that their ties are "solid and stable" and will achieve further development in the future. 

Read more: 

Dialogue: Fight as one, China-Africa battle COVID-19

'True friend' China helps Algeria battle coronavirus

The diplomat hailed mutual assistance between China and Algeria in fighting the pandemic. In early February, Algeria sent medical donations to help China combat the coronavirus, soon after the outbreak started in the central province of Hubei. 

"For us, Hubei is very important," Boukhelfa noted. "We had a very special relationship with the province. In 1963, the first Chinese medical delegation to Algeria was from Hubei."

Men wearing face masks walk in Algiers, Algeria, April 29, 2020. /AP

Men wearing face masks walk in Algiers, Algeria, April 29, 2020. /AP

In March and April, China sent several batches of medical donations to the North African nation, including surgical masks, N95 masks, medical protective outfits, face shields, as well as respirators for intensive care use. 

"China has helped us a lot. The central government, provincial governments, local authorities, Chinese enterprises and even individuals have helped Algeria a lot. The materials and medical equipment provided by China are very valuable," said the ambassador. 

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Algeria had surged to 4,154 by Friday, with a death toll of 453. 

Boukhelfa also called on the international community to work together to deal with the pandemic. 

"The international community should work together to become a real community, give the word 'community' a real meaning, and ensure that all humankind is one group," he said, adding that this is the only way to address the situation.

6km