Africa thankful for a 'reliable partner'

Africa regards China's development as an opportunity for the world rather than a threat to it, said former senior South African diplomat Gert Johannes Grobler. China's strong opposition to hegemony, unilateralism, protectionism and trade bullying are appreciated by the continent and the developing world at large, he added.

Grobler, who served as South Africa's ambassador to Spain, Japan and Madagascar and is now a senior research fellow at the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, was speaking at the online Vision China event organized by China Daily on Wednesday.

"China is making significant and growing contributions to global economic growth, peace and stability … its consistent position that it will not seek progress at the expense of others is appreciated by Africa and the developing world," Grobler said.

He also said China's growth model and success have inspired and given confidence to other developing countries in their efforts to achieve development and enhance prosperity.

"China is prepared to share its expertise and experiences with other countries that want to speed up their economic growth and development, and enable them to choose a development path in accordance with their own national conditions and requirements," he said.

According to Grobler, the spread of COVID-19 has not only put health systems in African countries increasingly under pressure but has also had far-reaching implications for the continent, which could contribute to the slowing down of the commendable political, economical and social progress that Africa has made over the last few decades.

"Africa wishes and would like to draw on China's development experiences in so many areas," he said.

According to the Foreign Ministry, China had sent 148 medical workers to 11 African countries as of June. Large quantities of medical supplies donated by the government, private companies and individuals have also been distributed in 50 African countries and regions.

Forty-six Chinese medical teams have been mobilized to help African nations contain the pandemic. Nearly 1,000 Chinese medical personnel working in Africa have conducted close to 400 anti-epidemic training activities, according to the National Health Commission.

Grobler said that China indeed remains a valued partner for Africa, particularly given the fragile global political economic situation.

"In fact, Africa and China are now as we speak busy charting the way forward on cooperation in the post-pandemic era as was illustrated by the outcome of the successful, extraordinary China and Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19," he said.

Hailing China as "a reliable partner for Africa", the former diplomat said that China has always honored its commitments in an efficient, pragmatic and result-oriented manner.

"Africa knows that China is prepared to continue to share its development experience with Africa as a friend in need in the challenging times we're living and the challenging road ahead," Grobler said.