Interview: Kenyan experts laud China's renewed focus on Africa's development

Chinese President Xi Jinping's announcement of 10 major China-Africa cooperation plans to be carried out in the coming three years reaffirm China's commitment to the development of the continent.

The 10-point plan covers the areas of industrialization, agricultural modernization, infrastructure, financial services, green development, trade and investment facilitation, poverty reduction and public welfare, public health, people-to-people exchanges, peace and security.

Kenyan analysts noted that the president's speech delivered on Friday during the second summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in South Africa lived up to its expectations.

Dr. Eric Mangunyi, a Strategic Management and Research expert at Nairobi-based Catholic University of Eastern Africa, said the 10 plans are touching on key areas of Africa's socioeconomic development.

"The building of roads, ports and railways enhances economic growth. It is a sign of better ties between African countries and China, which translates to prosperity," he said.

"Some of the issues show relatively unique areas of Sino-Africa cooperation compared to international cooperation frameworks between Africa and majority of the Western bilateral partnerships," said Dr. Gerishon Ikiara, a lecturer of international economics.

He believed the China-Africa relations will have a bright future in the upcoming years.

"President Xi's announcement has introduced principles that are expected to give the relationship greater benefits," observed Ikiara.

Of the 60 billion U.S. dollars China pledged it would offer to Africa, there will be 60 million dollars provided in free aid to African Union to improve the continent's peacekeeping ability.

China also said it would further continue to participate in UN peacekeeping missions in Africa and support African nations' capacity building in areas such as defence, counter-terrorism, crime prevention and immigration control.

Mangunyi noted that the grant will fortify the peacekeeping efforts of a continent ridden by conflicts.

"By participating in peacekeeping and capacity building of security institutions, including immigration institutions, then obviously this is a major boost to the AU and UN missions in Africa," he said.

Professor Macharia Munene, an International Relations lecturer at the United States International University in Nairobi, also hailed China's contribution to the continent's peace and security.

"The financial offer to strengthen the AU peacekeeping capacity is a welcome gesture. It is up to the AU management to figure out how to use the offered assistance in the most effective way," said Munene.

Chinese President Xi Jinping also said China will train 200,000 technicians for African countries, and provide the continent with 40,000 training opportunities in China.

Meanwhile, Xi announced China will offer African students 2,000 education opportunities with degrees or diplomas and 30,000 government scholarships.

"Culturally, China and African countries are busy learning about each other. The announcement on the offer of scholarships will be a major boost to the cultural development in African countries,"noted Munene. Enditem