Beyond rhetoric: China's impact on human rights in Africa

Editor's note: China and Africa share a longstanding friendship, respecting, appreciating and supporting each other consistently during the past several decades. The results of their cooperation in infrastructure development, agriculture, healthcare and education have been undeniable. However, some Western media and politicians continue to accuse China of debt traps, neo-colonialism and more. CGTN's new series "China-Africa Cooperation: Debunking Western Myths" aims to put the record straight. This is the third article in the series. Zhao Yating, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is an assistant research fellow of West-Asian and African Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

In recent years, Western media have repeatedly stoked claims that China "disregards human rights in Africa" and "supports authoritarian regimes" on the continent, attempting to tarnish China's image. However, Western nations should not impose their own will on Africa under the guise of supporting human rights. Instead, they must base their approach on Africa's unique perspectives and needs.

Africa's understanding of human rights was forged and refined during the struggle against Western colonial rule and the fight for national independence. African people believe that colonialism's ability to trample on human rights stemmed largely from its power to deny a nation's right to self-determination. For them, the most fundamental right – the right of a nation to determine its political, economic, and social future – is the bedrock upon which other human rights rest.

Furthermore, African traditional cultures have long emphasized the primacy of social responsibilities and obligations over individual rights. As a result, African nations prioritize collective rights, with the right to development emerging as a new focal point in the post-independence era, addressing the challenges of national development and improving living standards. For these nations, ensuring collective welfare is paramount, as they believe that only through the overall economic development of the country can individual rights – such as the right to life and political rights – be adequately protected.

The shared experiences, understanding, and aspirations between China and Africa regarding human rights have shaped China's support for human rights in Africa, making it more attuned to the continent's needs.

Firstly, both China and African nations have experienced Western colonialism and oppression. Therefore, they value their hard-won collective human rights and understand the importance of human rights protection. In addition, both sides recognize that individual rights are subordinate to collective rights, with the right to development taking precedence.

Apart from that, China and African countries share common goals in human rights protection. As early as 2013, the African Union launched its Agenda 2063, a comprehensive plan at the continental level to guide Africa's development over the next 50 years, with human rights protection as a key objective. In the same year, during a visit to Tanzania, Chinese President Xi Jinping introduced the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests in developing China's relations with Africa, emphasizing that "China and Africa have long formed a community with a shared future."

Hence, China and Africa must work together to achieve continuous progress in human rights protection. Moreover, "democracy" and "human rights" are not castles in the air; they cannot be realized in a short period through mere rhetoric or endless talk. They must be built on the foundation of economic development, improved educational standards, and increased awareness of democracy and the rule of law.

As the world's largest developing country, China fully respects Africa's needs, and spares no effort to assist African nations in infrastructure development, education improvement, and healthcare enhancement. These efforts have effectively improved the human rights situation in Africa.

In education, China has not only provided substantial educational funding to African countries, but has also built facilities or sent thousands of volunteer teachers to help improve the quality of education.

For instance, since the first Luban Workshop in Africa was established in Djibouti in March 2019, China has built 17 Luban Workshops across the continent, developing dozens of China-Africa cooperation programs and training over 10,000 African youths. The Luban Workshop in Morocco, established in 2021, has held multiple cross-border e-commerce training sessions. Each year, more than 2,000 young students from various African countries and regions apply for these training programs.

China's support for education in Africa not only enhances educational opportunities for local youth but also creates better employment prospects. Through skills training and vocational education, African youth can achieve higher incomes, leading to improved quality of life that is stable and fulfilling.

This positive cycle ultimately ensures that the African people truly enjoy human rights, with fairer opportunities for development and a brighter future. This is a concrete example of how China-Africa cooperation advances the cause of human rights.

In healthcare, China's contributions have been equally significant. Chinese medical teams have conducted extensive disease prevention and treatment efforts across African countries, providing much-needed medical services to local residents.

In 2014, West Africa experienced an Ebola outbreak with a fatality rate exceeding 60 percent. China dispatched 16 teams comprising over 1,200 medical personnel to assist in combating the epidemic. They treated more than 800 patients and provided public health training to over 13,000 people. These efforts not only saved countless lives, but also improved the public health standards of African nations.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, China provided hundreds of millions of vaccines to African countries such as Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Somalia. This timely support addressed the genuine concerns of African nations, embodying the spirit of humanitarianism through concrete actions.

In infrastructure development, China has been a reliable partner for African countries. Currently, China has helped building over 6,000 kilometers of railways, 6,000 kilometers of highways, nearly 20 ports, and more than 80 large-scale power facilities in Africa. Additionally, China has assisted in the construction of over 130 hospitals and clinics, more than 170 schools, 45 stadiums, and more. The benefits of China-Africa cooperation have directly reached countless households across African countries.

The improvement of infrastructure has not only facilitated internal exchanges within African countries but also strengthened their connections with other parts of the world, creating a more favorable external environment for the advancement of democracy and human rights in Africa.

China has not disregarded African human rights but has instead actively supported Africa's development through concrete actions in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, and more. These efforts have significantly improved the living standards of the African people, promoting economic growth, better job opportunities, and social stability. It is important to recognize that the question of whether China "disregards" African human rights should be answered by the African people themselves, not by Western critics with their own agendas.

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