The 11th Africa Lecture was held online by the China-Africa Institute (CAI) on Nov 24, 2022 under the theme of “People-to-people Exchanges and Mutual learning Between Chinese and African Civilizations”. Professor Wang Xiaoming, vice president of CAI presided over the lecture, and three African journalists were invited to deliver their keynote speeches. A number of Chinese experts and scholars of CAI attended the lecture online.

Deanna WD Seakor is delivering speech online

Deanna WD Seakor, journalist of The Analyst News（Liberia）said in the keynote speech that China has achieved remarkable results in development over the past decades and its experience has provided reference for other developing countries in the world. China has made a miracle in its development, which did not just happen accidentally. It is the strong vitality derived from China’s traditional culture and the rich Chinese wisdom. China’s development represents that Chinese civilization has made great contribution to the development of world civilization, said Deanna.

Despite of sophisticated international situation, mutual learning between Chinese and African civilizations is continuing to increase in many fields, including economic and trade cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, climate change and gender equality. It is African journalists’ responsibility and obligation to take part in these changes, and present all those achievements to both African and Chinese people, Deanna concluded.

Oumar Ndiaye is delivering speech online

Oumar Ndiaye,  journalist of Le Soleil （Senegal） pointed out that civilization is the aggregation of progress that human society achieved in the development of politics, economics, culture and other aspects. It is the unity of material achievements and spiritual achievements made by a particular ethnic group. Throughout human history, both China and Africa had made remarkable achievements of civilization. The Pyramids of Egypt and Great Wall of China respectively showed that both African and Chinese people have made tremendous efforts to push human progress forward. 

Chinese civilization and African civilization share many common values, including openness, inclusiveness and desire for peace. Confucianism says that “to establish oneself and pursue success, one should also work to establish others and help them succeed”, this concept is highly consistent with the idea of collectivism and having good attention towards others which are underlined by Léopold Sédar Senghor, the first President of the Republic of Senegal, according to Oumar. The mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation between China and Africa are developing at a good momentum at present. As the envoys who convoy messages in-between African and Chinese people, Oumar encouraged African journalists to take the responsibility to continually enhance the development of Africa-China friendship.

Mohamed Osman Abdi is delivering speech online

Mohamed Osman Abdi,  journalist of Somali National News Agency（Somalia） acknowledged that the history of communication between Africa and China is essentially the history of mutual respect and peaceful contact between African civilization and Chinese civilization. Somali as a country plays an important role in mutual learning of African civilization and Chinese civilization. Zheng He, the great Chinese diplomat and explorer who commanded seven naval expeditions on behalf of the Chinese emperor in Ming Dynasty, travelled through and made visits to harbors along the Somalian coastal line. This was said to mark the start of Africa-China official relation in the history.

The 20th National People’s Congress highlighted China’s remarkable achievements in recent decade, and China’s successful experience and plans in poverty alleviation, ecological governance and anti-corruption campaign will provide reference and support for Africa’s development of modernization. African journalists should create more opportunities for people-to-people exchange between the two countries, so as to enhance mutual learning of Chinese and African civilization, Mohamed added.

Professor Wang Xiaoming is presiding over the lecture

In conclusion the lecture, professor Wang Xiaoming pointed out that the mutual learning between Chinese civilization and African civilization has set a good example for equal communication among different civilizations. While China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership is advancing with time, it will build a strong foundation for China-African community with a shared future. African journalists are important connections between the two sides, and will be able to better support the mutual learning between Chinese civilization and African civilization, in that way the development of China-Africa friendship will even grow in full flourish in the new era.