Collective endeavor

South-South cooperation is a fundamental pillar that seeks to address the injustices of the past and rigorously find a constructive pathway of truth and reconciliation for the good of the world. This South-South cooperation has to be strengthened in order to realize the full potential that will translate to the development of our countries.

South-South cooperation must explore more opportunities within the frameworks of trade, infrastructure, health, education and technology for the interest of our people, which will help ensure peace and stability. China has demonstrated its willingness to work with African countries in trade and other areas, all geared toward promoting a win-win situation for the good of mankind. In that light, we should work and stand together for the growth and development of both China and Africa.

The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation will build consensus on "major issues such as joining hands to advance modernization and building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future". The road map is clear and there has been a commitment on both sides to follow the action plan. Since the establishment of the forum as a ministerial mechanism in 2000, it has adhered to the principles of planning together, building together and benefitting together, and above all advancing the development of the forum and implementation of its outcomes, propelling China-Africa relations to make great strides forward and achieve leapfrog development. This year's theme resonates with the zest to see change and take practical actions with a specific timeline.

The leaders of China and Africa will come together to discuss pertinent issues such as state governance, industrialization, agricultural modernization, peace and security, high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, as well as the eighth Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs and other related activities. These are planned activities with a clear pathway to achieve the intended purpose. China and Africa must ensure they adhere to the outcomes of the meeting and fully implement the agreed communique.

We expect in state governance each country has its sovereign powers and must be respected. The Taiwan question should be emphasized and seek the complete cessation of the Western powers' support for the Taiwan secessionists to allow the due process of the island's reunification with its motherland. We would like African countries to consider having visa-free travel across the continent just as Kenya has started to implement. African countries have similar concerns and we hope to see genuine implementation of the road map based on sincerity and integrity that seeks to address poverty.

In the free trade agreement we have seen a great reduction in bureaucracy in the trade sector. We applaud the Chinese embassies in Africa for facilitating visas for African countries to come and do business in China. China is the largest trading partner of many African countries today, and so far we are happy with the reforms and innovation that has been employed in the business domain. We speak to many Africans doing business in China; they are satisfied with the Chinese market and it is our hope during the FOCAC deliberations to make it known.

Institutional reforms and capacity building for African countries are critical factors that have to be paid attention to. We have seen a lot of Africans who over the years have acquired skills from China to set up their businesses in Africa, and we would like to see an increase in scholarship opportunities given to African citizens for us to position our youthful population on the trajectory of development.

China and Africa must come up with a comprehensive package on "Africa feeds itself". No nation can prosper if it can't feed its people. In that regard, China has the expertise and technological advancement to help Africa feed itself. All we need to do is to engage the Chinese experts to transfer skills, while Africa has arable land that is fit for purpose. With this integrated effort, "feeding Africa" will be achievable.

The author is director of the China Africa Institute at the University of Makeni, Sierra Leone. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

Contact the editor at editor@chinawatch.cn.