The Inclusive Society Institute received an invite from the China Center for Contemporary World Studies and Secretary General of Silk Road Think-Tank Association (SRTA) Secretariat, International Department of CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), China to form part of a high-level delegation of Think- Tank Scholars from the African continent to visit China. The visit of the African Think- Tank scholars to China commenced on the 23rd of July 2024 up until the 1st of August 2024.
The purpose of the visit of the African Think- Tank Scholars was one which was not meant only for the purpose of the delegates seeing the magnificent China landscape and experiencing its culture and cuisine. The visits’ main objective was to further cement China-Africa friendship, deepen and facilitate China-Africa and People-to-People bond by contributing to building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future through dialogue.
On the 24th of July 2024, the delegation attended the 7th Africa-China People’s Forum in Changsha, Hunan Province (in Central China) which was hosted by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC) and the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee jointly. The third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee in Changsha seminar was held. The event was attended by over 200 guests from over 50 African countries.
Ms. Nondumiso Sithole, advisory council member at the Inclusive Society Institute (ISI), represented the Inclusive Society Institute and attended as a delegate. Ms. Sithole formed part of panel and was a panelist member which led discussions on theme 2 namely: “High-end Think Tanks Boost High-Quality Development of China- Africa Cooperation”. She further submitted contributions at a media briefing session held at the 7th Africa-China Peoples forum and Young Leaders Forum on the Sino-African cooperation.
The delegation attended various field visits to Hunan Province (in Central China) in several locations and different cities, namely Chenzhou, Luoyang and lastly visit Beijing (in North China), where CCCWS is based. A high-level thematic seminar was held with CCCWS researchers, Dr Wang Liyong as well the Vice Minister of the International Department of CPC Central Committee Honorable Lu Kang and Honorable Hong Dayong, Vice Minister of Publicity Department of CPC. Remarks were about Sino-African cooperation, Belt and Road development in Africa and the field visits between the African Think-tank scholars as well as the researchers from CCCWS at this intensive session.
It is worth mentioning that most of the deposits by the African Think- Tank Scholars had a common thread, i.e. that the relationship between China and Africa had evolved into one which there is respect, common objectives in terms of empowering the African continent by transforming its economies through various methods and lastly there is a negative narrative when it comes to the Africa- China relations, wherein Chinese policies in Africa are viewed by some as “debt traps”, that said, it was up to the African continent as well as the People's Republic of China to not to be detracted if there is a consensus as well as evidence that the relations that have been built thus far have been mutually beneficial for both parties and that the both parties will continue to work on the challenges raised.
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