Abuja, Jan. 29, 2024 (NAN) Professor Li Xinfeng, Executive President of China-Africa Institute (CAI) has reiterated the need for deeper trado-cultural relations between China and Africa to advance their path to modernization.

Li made the remarks at the International Symposium on “Deepening Mutual Understanding between Chinese and African Civilizations based on Fine Traditional Culture” held on January 25, 2024 at the Chinese Academy of History (CAH) in Beijing, China.

The symposium was centered on promoting conversation about the mutual appreciation of civilizations between China and Africa.

"We sincerely believe that by drawing inspiration from traditional culture, Africa will successfully embark on modernization, characterized by solidarity, peace, cultural advancement, resilient economic growth and inclusive development, " said Professor Li.

Mr Awale Kullane, Ambassador of Somalia to China noted in his speech that humanity witnessed difficulty at various levels of civilization that shaped the world. Both China and Africa boast precious cultural heritage that contributed to human civilization.

"The ancient land of China, a cradle of civilization, dates back thousands of years; the earliest evidence of human habitation in China can be traced to the Paleolithic era."

"Africa, whose history is utterly rich and complex, encompasses vast array of cultures and civilizations spanning thousands of years."

Ambassador Awale Kullane described China-Africa relations as age long civilizations that interacted, traded, and exchanged ideas leading to cross-cultural pollination and enrichment of global heritage.

He mentioned that the ancient Silk Road that stretched across thousands of miles facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures between these two regions.

"We should embrace the lessons of our past as we forge ahead into the future; we should honour the spirit of our ancestors by fostering compassion, understanding, and cooperation among all nations and peoples," he added.

Gao Xiang, president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and also director of the CAH said at the symposium, “The friendship between China and Africa has a long history. A true understanding of human civilization can not be achieved without studying China and Africa. However, Western countries' text books and history works have long been characterized by ignorance and prejudice toward Chinese and African history."

He described Chinese civilization and African civilization as gorgeous flowers that bloom the garden of world civilizations, since they shared highly-agreed similarity and compatibility.

"Both Chinese and African people acknowledge the concept of collectivism, peaceful development and opposing to hegemony. It outlined the significance of mutual respect and mutual assistance between the two sides in history, and laid a cultural foundation for inheritance and development of China-Africa friendly cooperation in the new era."

"China is making efforts to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese modernization, whereas Africa is assuming the major responsibility of realizing regional integration and modernization. The two goals can be integrated with joint efforts towards one common goal, so that the mutual learning between Chinese and African civilizations can be injected with connotation of the new era," said Gao Xiang.

No less than 50 representatives from Africa and China attended the symposium, including 13 African diplomats who visited the Chinese Archaeological Museum in CAH before attending the syposium.

Author: Fortune Abang, Editor Assistant/Chief Correspondent on Foreign Affairs, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). This article was first published on NAN website.