China hosts China-Africa youth festival
By Mathews Kasanda in China:
China is hosting the seventh China-Africa festival which has brought together young people from 49 African countries, including Malawi, for them to exchange knowledge and understand China’s modernisation efforts.
Representing Malawi at the eight-day festival, which China Soong Ching Ling Foundation has organised, is Member of Parliament for Balaka Central East Constituency Chifundo Makande.
The event was officially opened on Wednesday in Beijing, where Representative of the Chinese Government on African Affairs Liu Yuxi urged the youth to contribute their wisdom to China-Africa friendship and strengthen the cooperation.
“Young people are the future of the country and the hope of the nation. In the face of the uncertain world, the youth of China and Africa should have a world view that is open to the world and actively promote the common values of all mankind,” Liu said.
He said the China- Africa cooperation is facing a critical period of transformation and upgrading toward high-quality development and that, as such, young people should enhance their sense of mission and responsibility.
“They should cultivate sensible values of China and Africa in the first place, promote mutual understanding through exchanges and dialogues, and constantly inspire their passion for China, Africa and the cause of China-Africa friendship,” Liu said.
African Youth Representative and Director of the Office of the Vice Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Emile Rwagasana, commended China for the initiative and hailed the good relationship that exists between the two sides.
He said there was a need for Africa and China to work hand-in-hand in educating young people, hence expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for continuing to offer scholarships to African students.
Rwagasana added that the relationship between the two sides is longstanding, built on mutual respect and understanding.
“The depth and breadth of the Africa- China friendship is immeasurable; the relations between China and Africa are brotherly and historical,” he said.
In her opening remarks, Chairperson for the Board of Directors of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, Lin Bin, indicated that the participants would visit cities, villages and government departments.
Nevertheless, she said the visit was an opportunity for African youths to have a better understanding of China and experience Chinese culture.
“It is of great benefit for China and Africa to strengthen exchange of civilisation and learn from each other,” Shen said.
China and Africa established diplomatic relations 67 years ago and the relationship has been growing since then.
China President Xi Jinping visited Africa 10 years ago, advancing the “concept of true and sincere policy towards Africa and the concept of righteousness and benefit”.
Mathews Kasanda is a journalist who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from University of Malawi (The Polytechnic).
In 2015, Media Institute of Southern Africa awarded him the Best Print Media Education Journalist of the Year accolade.
He joined Times Group Newsroom in September 2019.
