China-Africa community of destiny consolidates in fight against coronavirus epidemic

The Chinese government and the people are currently waging a battle against the coronavirus.

 In reponse to the epidemic, a few countries have evacuated their nationals and imposed entry restrictions on Chinese nationals. Some politicians have even spoken discriminatory and insulting words.

However, most countries have shown sympathy and support for China. A hundred foreign leaders sent letters and telegrams of support, the government and companies of several countries offered donations, in money as in material, to China and especially to Wuhan, epicenter of the epidemic. "Good luck China! "," Good luck Wuhan! "Such support is being announced around the world, and support from Africa, a continent distant geographically from China, is proving particularly valuable.

Dozens of African leaders such as HE Mr. Alassane Ouattara, President of Côte d'Ivoire, HE Mr. Macky Sall, President of Senegal, HE Mr. Kaïs Saïed, President of Tunisia, HE Mr. Paul Biya, President of Cameroon, HE Mr. Hage Geingob, President of Namibia, HE Mr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, as well as HE Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairman of the African Union Commission, quickly expressed their support for China and their high appreciation for Chinese efforts to fight the epidemic. 

At the end of the 33rd Summit of the African Union, the Executive Council of the Pan-African organization also reaffirmed in its declaration the consensual support of all the members of the Union to China in its efforts to fight against the spread of the epidemic.

In addition to their political and moral support, several African countries have helped China to the extent of their capabilities. Equatorial Guinea, a Central African country whose GDP is far behind that of Wuhan, has donated two million US dollars to support China. South African company U-Mask has worked hard and worked overtime to donate 30,000 medical masks to China.

For society, this donation aims to provide concrete support to Chinese brothers and sisters to help them overcome difficulties. The Greater Accra region of Ghana has donated 10,000 N95 masks to Wuhan, and the Ivorian government has also decided to donate medical supplies to China.

The African people demonstrate their sympathy and support for China in their own way. In Côte d'Ivoire, hundreds of teachers, students and their parents spontaneously observed a minute of silence at the ceremony to launch the Amis de Chine club at the Groupe Scolaire des Lauréades. 

Thousands of children in Kenya demonstrated in the streets to support China, with banners that said "I love China", "We stand with China". In Wuhan, the Ethiopian Students' Association said in an open letter of condolence, "Dear Chinese parents, we pray for you." In Yulin, Guangxi province, Mengya, a Zimbabwean student, chose to stay put to become a volunteer and help disinfect a city train station.

Thanks to the brotherhood of Africa, China is not at all alone in this invisible war against the epidemic. African countries are our partners by nature and provide us with strong support. It’s through a long journey that you see the strength of a horse, and over time you see the heart of a man. Faced with the terrible epidemic, the African people stand with the Chinese people, and this deeply reflects the sense of community of China-Africa destiny.

Indeed, for decades, whatever the international vagaries, the Chinese people always share the same fate with the African people. China and Africa have always been linked by a community of destinies. This community is not only a political idea or formula, but also a precise capture of the reality marked by the past, the strategic interests and the similar development prospects of China and Africa.

Our hearts have come together through a similar past and a traditional friendship. China and Africa, both victims of foreign invasions and oppressions, fought hand in hand against colonialism and imperialism, and achieved through sacrifices the independence of their nations and the liberation of their peoples. 

In the 60s and 70s of the last century, tens of thousands of Chinese crossed long distances to help the Africans to build a railway of 2000 kilometers, connecting Tanzania and Zambia, drawing by these strong actions a moving chapter The Chinese people will never forget that it was their African brothers and sisters who “brought” the People's Republic of China to the United Nations and supported the restoration of all of China's rights in this important international body.

We are closely linked by common strategic interests. Today’s world is far from peaceful. The hegemony and politics of the fittest still persist. Protectionism and unilateralism are gaining ground. Questions linked to climate change, natural disasters and epidemics follow one another. 

It is only when China and Africa work in close cooperation in international affairs, lend each other support on issues of fundamental interest, that the two sides can better defend sovereignty and development rights on both sides. 

On the other, to promote together the democratization of international relations, economic globalization and trade liberalization, and to face the various risks and challenges.

In the most difficult times during the Ebola virus epidemic in 2014, China was the first to help African countries. On issues affecting China's fundamental interests, such as those concerning Taiwan, the South China Sea, Xinjiang and others, African countries have always spoken out in defense of truth and justice.

We walk shoulder to shoulder for a common vision of development. China is the largest developing country in the world, while Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries. 

We all face tasks related to the pursuit of reform and development, and must fulfill our historic mission of improving the well-being of the people and rebuilding the nation. 

On the one hand, China has put its advantages in technologies, equipment, talents and financing at the service of African countries, to support them in achieving their autonomous and sustainable development. 

On the other hand, Africa, possessing many assets including its demographic dividend and the enormous potentialities of its market, supports China in the upscale of its economy. 

To date, China has built more than 10,000 kilometers of road, more than 6,000 kilometers of railway in Africa, as well as many social infrastructures such as schools and hospitals. Sino-African trade has already exceeded 200 billion US dollars.

China remains the main trading partner of the African continent for 11 consecutive years. Over 3,700 Chinese companies are investing and operating in Africa today.

We cherish our friendship, and are convinced that Sino-African relations will have a brighter future. At the opening ceremony of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on Sino-African Cooperation held in September 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered an inaugural speech entitled Working together for a community of destiny and common development, in which he called to build together an even stronger community of China-Africa destiny, marked by shared responsibility, win-win cooperation, happiness for all, cultural prosperity and common security. Thanks to joint efforts on both sides, this great project is becoming a reality.

The snowy winter bodes well for a flourishing spring. The fight against the epidemic of the new coronavirus has been the cornerstone of the solidity of the community of China-Africa destiny. And this has been proven once again by strong actions of support and solidarity on the part of our friendly countries and African brothers. 

We have full confidence that with the understanding and support of different peoples of the world, especially those of Africa, the Chinese people will undoubtedly win the battle against this epidemic. 

Like recent remarks by M. WANG Yi, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China during his telephone interviews with several African foreign ministers, “at the end of this epidemic, China will be strengthened and its development more sustainable. 

The Sino-African friendship will be the subject of greater radiation and the community of China-Africa destiny will be stronger. "

Article of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Democratic Republic of the Congo.