Ambassador Liu Xiaoming: China's role in Africa is an equal partner

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Chinese Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming refuted to Western criticism on China's role in Africa saying China neither interferes with Africa's internal affairs, nor has political intentions with its aid in Africa; China only shares its own development experience with African partners.

Liu made the remark in a signed article published in British newspaper The Telegraph Wednesday entitled "China's role in Africa is an equal partner."

The full text reads as follows:

The situation in Zimbabwe has given rise to speculation in the media about China being an “intervener.” There is also talk about the Chinese model driving western democracy out of Africa and allegations that Chinese aid connives in encouraging “dictatorship and corruption” across the continent.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (C), South African President Jacob Zuma (L) and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony of the Exhibition on 15 Years of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Dec. 4, 2015. /Xinhua Photo

Nothing could be further from the truth. Having served twice at diplomatic posts in Africa, I have a personal attachment to this continent and a deeper understanding of China’s policy towards it. Here are my three observations.

First, China never interferes in the internal affairs of African countries. We respect their independent choice of development model. All roads lead to Rome and none should be sanctified as the only path. The African people should not be told what to do on their land. This is the principle of non-interference, a diplomatic doctrine that China has long upheld.

As a victim itself in recent history, China is firmly against external interference. In the '50s, together with its Asian neighbors, China put forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which have been endorsed extensively by the international community. These were reaffirmed at the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China.

A new train stops at a railway station in suburban Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, October 1, 2016. The Chinese-built railway linking the Ethiopian capital and the port of Djibouti, which is set to become fully operational on October 5, will be Africa's first modern electrified railway. /Xinhua Photo

China does not interfere in African affairs. Rather, it believes that the African people have the wisdom and capability to blaze a development path that suits their national conditions and leads to stability and growth.

Second, China is ready to share its experience rather than impose its will. The past 40 years have witnessed China’s remarkable achievements in socialist modernization, attributable to the hard work of the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party.

As China enters a new era for building socialism with Chinese characteristics, its development model, theory, system and culture are gaining wider global influence.

China is the world’s largest developing nation. Its success offers an alternative path to modernization for others. With a similar past of fighting for independence, China and the vast majority of African countries share the aspiration for revival. China is ready to engage African countries in closer communication, share its experience, and contribute to the political civilization of humanity through mutual learning.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong attends the launch ceremony of China-South Africa science park cooperation in Pretoria, South Africa, April 24, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Third, Chinese aid to Africa has no political strings attached and aims at livelihood and capacity building. For decades China has been helping Africa by offering aid in agriculture, health, education, infrastructure and other livelihood-related areas. The Tazara Railway in Africa is the best example of my country’s sincerity and efforts. It was built when China was itself in economic difficulty and over 60 Chinese workers gave their lives while constructing it. I was at the handover and witnessed this landmark moment of China-Africa friendship personally.

China has aided or financed the building of 5,000 km of railway and roads, built more than 200 schools and nearly 100 hospitals, and trained more than 160,000 professional workers in Africa. China’s 43 medical teams in 42 African countries have treated 280 million patients. We believe “it’s better to pass on fishing skills than to hand out fish.” Our aid is based on equality and mutual benefit, and serves Africa’s economy and social programs.

China has taken solid steps to ease Africa’s debt burden. Since 2000, nine loan waivers have been announced for heavily-indebted and least developed countries (LDCs). By 2009, 312 debts of 35 African countries had been cancelled, worth 3 billion US dollars in total. In September 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced China’s decision to write off outstanding intergovernmental interest-free loans due by the end of 2015 for LDCs, landlocked developing nations and small island developing countries, including African countries.

The Chinese-built Ghana National Theater in Accra, capital of Ghana, September 15, 2014. /Xinhua Photo

"Real gold stands the test of fire." Whatever changes there are in the world, China will always be an equal, sincere and genuine partner of Africa, working together to build a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation, and a community of shared future for all mankind.