Forging a Dynamic Partnership

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  With the rapid development of China-Africa and China-Russia relations in recent years, high-level exchange visits have increased accordingly. Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), traveled to Africa and Russia in mid-September for the latest of these exchanges. In a written interview with Beijing Review and other periodicals, Fu Ying, Chairwoman of the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee, shared her views on the relations and Chairman Zhang’s visit to further develop these ties. Excerpts of the interview follow:
  Several of China’s top leaders have visited Africa this year. What message does Chairman Zhang Dejiang’s latest visit send to Africa?
  Chairman Zhang’s visit to Africa is important for China’s diplomatic efforts on the continent in the wake of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit in March. This indicates the great importance China’s new leadership attaches to SinoAfrican relations and China’s positive attitude in enhancing mutual understanding and cooperation.
  China and African countries share a deep traditional friendship. China’s ongoing progress in reform and opening up and the African continent’s accelerated rate of development offer greater opportunities for China-Africa cooperation. This can be seen in the following aspects:
  First, the convergence of economic interests between China and Africa is expanding. In 2009, China emerged as Africa’s largest trade partner, with both sides showing increased demands of trade and investment.
  Second, communication channels have become increasingly diversified. Besides exchanges on government levels, people-to- people contacts are also growing. Based on the all-round development in bilateral relations, China and Africa have developed sound coordination and cooperation in a multilateral framework.
  Third, there is no great divergence between China and Africa and we regard each other’s success as our respective development opportunities. More importantly, China’s success is an inspiration to African countries and serves as a great motivator.
  These factors have provided additional avenues in further developing Sino-African relations, enabling Sino-African cooperation to shift into the fast lane and make prominent achievements in various fields.
  While visiting Africa in March, President Xi said that developing Sino-African relations is an ongoing process that will never stop. But how to develop this relationship in accordance with the era’s changes is a new challenge. During his visit, Chairman Zhang focuses on the new situations and needs for developing China-Africa relations. On the one hand, he conveys the message of China’s friendship with and concern about Africa; on the other hand, he earnestly lis- tens to the opinions and suggestions of African state leaders and shows the positive attitude of China’s new legislature toward cooperation with Africa. Chairman Zhang is the first top leader of China’s legislature who has set foot in Uganda for the past 51 years after the establishment of diplomatic relations. The second leg of Zhang’s Africa visit takes him to Nigeria.   What position does the Sino-African relationship occupy in China’s overall diplomatic strategy?
  I’ve noticed that the outside world is showing great interest in Sino-African relations in recent years. There are increasing discussions and media reports on this topic. Many foreign parliamentary delegations also asked about China’s attitude and stance on African issues while visiting China. For China, Africa, home to the largest number of developing countries, has always been the basis for China’s diplomacy. African countries have long provided important support to China in international political affairs; they are the forces China must rely on in realizing peaceful development. Economically, African countries are China’s important partners. It is a long-term fundamental policy of China to unite and cooperate with African countries.
  China’s new leadership has a clear focus in developing friendship and cooperation with Africa. President Xi positioned Sino-African relationship as “a community of shared destinies”and vividly illustrated China’s Africa policy with words like “sincerity,” “real results,” “affinity” and“good faith.” Against the current background of complicated global changes, it is important for China and African countries to strengthen unity and coordination so as to effectively deal with challenges and maintain the interests of developing countries.
  Western critics often portray China’s presence in Africa as a kind of neo-colonialism. What do you think of such criticism? What adjustments should be made in our relations with Africa if needed?
  Few people in Africa believe such accusations. Having suffered from colonialism, African people know what colonialism is. South African President Jacob Zuma said clearly that China has never colonized Africa but rather helps Africa to rely on itself.
  In general, the development of Sino-African relations has promoted economic and social development in Africa, which is applauded by African countries and peoples while winning affirmation and praise from the international community. Many international scholars in African affairs believe that the cooperation between China and African countries and Chinese business operations in Africa have brought preferential influences and important contributions to Africa’s development.
  Some Western observers show concern over China importing resources from Africa, but in reality, Western countries are the major importers of resources from Africa. For instance, two thirds of oil produced in Africa goes to the United States and European countries. ChinaAfrica cooperation in various areas, including resources, is conducted on a mutually-beneficial and win-win basis.   In terms of adjustments, I think our cooperative ties should be constantly strengthened to meet the new needs arising due to changes.
  First, both sides should keep themselves up to date with each other’s developments and people’s demands, so as to better define our cooperative focus. African people are eager to escape from poverty and pursue industrialization, which are the same aspirations as Chinese people. While formulating African cooperation strategies, China should study and respond to the development plans of African countries and regional organizations and promote bilateral relations with various countries in light of their respective conditions.
  Second, both sides should actively participate in each other’s industrialization processes. African countries place high expectations on their cooperation with China and subsequently China should do more to help African countries improve their capacities in governance and independent development. For instance, Chinese enterprises have contracted many projects in Africa, but if local capacities in production, transportation, management and maintenance are insufficient, these projects are unlikely to function well.
  In terms of agricultural cooperation, China can help Africa improve grain production so as to increase global grain supply and better solve the problem of poverty. In addition, industrial transfer can help Africa build up its manufacture industry and promote industrialization. This way, African countries are able to develop independently in their cooperation with China.
  Third, we should further strengthen people-to-people contacts to enhance mutual understandings and identification. China Central Television recently broadcast live footage of wildlife migration in Africa. This program was widely applauded in China and will surely bring more tourists to Africa.
  Non-governmental exchanges between China and Africa should descend to the community level so that people at grassroots level can benefit from Sino-African friendship and become firm supporters and participants in this cooperation.
  Fourth, we should increase the sense of responsibility of Chinese enterprises. We need to realize that there are many opportunities, as well as challenges, in the process of accelerating Sino-African cooperation. Both sides should treat the issue earnestly. For China, helping Africa means helping ourselves. We should stress more on what is right, instead of just profiting from our cooperation with Africa and encourage our enterprises to participate in the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, while also building markets and networks so as to increase local employment.


  What is your view on current China-Russia relations? How will Chairman Zhang’s visit influence bilateral relations, especially between the legislative organs?
  China and Russia enjoy a comprehensive, strategic, cooperative partnership. In March, President Xi Jinping paid a state visit of historical significance to Russia. He met with President Vladimir Putin again recently at the G20 summit. The two state leaders reached consensus on a wide range of issues and agreed on ways to promote cooperation. This high-standard political relationship has resulted in many tangible benefits and positive changes. When the two leaders met in St. Petersburg on September 5, they witnessed the signing of some important documents concerning cooperation in areas such as energy, aviation and communication between the two governments.
  The most special part of China-Russia relations is that mutual political trust is based on the real situation in the 21st century. We hold identical or similar views on almost all major global and regional issues. At home, we both have to develop our economies and improve people’s livelihoods. Internationally, we both favor peace and stability, stand for dialogue and cooperation and advocate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter to be upheld. We both want to comply with the elementary requirements of international law.
  Moreover, both China and Russia are emerging markets. In view of the global economic turmoil, we share the common view that the world needs more coordination and cooperation and all emerging markets should work together closely to weather the storm. To put it simply, there are no substantial obstacles in bilateral relations.
  Inter-parliamentary cooperation constitutes a major part of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia. Progress in bilateral ties offers more opportunities but also poses greater challenges in the cooperation of the two countries’ legislative bodies. In 2005, the cooperation committee between China’s NPC and the Russian Federation Council was set up, a sign that the legislative dialogue has become regular. The committee is China’s only institution for high-level communication and exchange led by the NPC chairman. Thanks to the committee, the two institutions have exchanged experiences on social management and other issues and made great efforts to promote practical cooperation in such fields as local economic cooperation and cultural exchanges.   Facilitating international economic and trade cooperation is an important diplomatic mission of the NPC. During its communication with local governments and enterprises, it has accumulated many constructive suggestions and proposals on enhancing economic and trade cooperation with Russia, such as how to get rid of transport bottlenecks, how to facilitate bilateral trade and how to tackle the difficulties enterprises face in their development. The cooperation committee between the two countries’ legislative bodies will serve as a platform for the two institutions to exchange information and find solutions to problems.
  Chairman Zhang’s visit to Russia will play a significant historical role, because it is his first state visit to Russia after being elected NPC chairman. He attends the seventh meeting of the cooperation committee, which is the first meeting between the new session of NPC and the Russian Federation Council.
  The Chinese Dream propounded by Chinese leaders has aroused interest globally. How can we clearly explain the Chinese Dream to Africans and other foreigners to help them realize the opportunities this idea can bring them?
  The Chinese Dream depicts the great revival of the Chinese nation and reflects the ideals and pursuance of the Chinese people of several generations. In addition, we have never been as close to the ideal as we are today. As President Xi and other new Chinese leaders have said, realizing the dream means people have better education, greater job security, a more decent income, better social security, improved medical and health services, more comfortable living conditions and a more beautiful environment. China has a solid basis and policy support to put forward this dream and help the Chinese people pursue their own dreams.
  The 18th National Party Congress put forward the goals of doubling China’s 2010 GDP and per-capita income for both urban and rural residents by 2020 and turning China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious by 2049. These are the two key historical junctures in realizing the Chinese Dream. A developing power with a population of 1.3 billion, China has made great efforts to achieve this grand goal and will continue to do so. This is not an easy task. It is the greatest mission of the Chinese nation.
  Many people outside of China are concerned about the relationship between the Chinese Dream and the world at large. They ask, when the Chinese Dream is realized, how will it influence other countries? In effect, the realization of the Chinese Dream follows the general trend of global development.   First, to realize the Chinese Dream, we need a peaceful and stable international environment. China itself should also make efforts in this regard. Thus, the Chinese Dream will be a positive energy in maintaining peace and stability. China will continue to develop itself in a peaceful manner, adhere to its diplomatic policy of independence and peace and follow the principle of not seeking hegemony or power politics.
  Second, the realization of the Chinese Dream means sustainable development of China itself. After a country with a population 1.3 billion enters a higher level of development, it will surely contribute to the economic development in neighboring countries and the world, and bring more global opportunities. China will position itself globally in various layers, including resources, markets and even capital and talent personnel. Thus, it also needs to launch more mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries.
  Third, the Chinese Dream is the same as the dreams of people in other developing countries and they complement each other. In the process of realizing its dream, China will also share its development experience and opportunities with other countries. At the same time, we also need to foster our capacity of supplying international public goods.
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