China, Africa in joint pursuit of shared prosperity: Chinese envoy

The flourishing bilateral relationship between China and African countries is based on pursuit of ideals that advance shared prosperity, says Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa.

"Joint shouldering of responsibility and promotion of growth is in line with the cooperation trends and the direction between China and other developing countries, especially African nations," Liu wrote in an article titled "Share Responsibility For A Better World" published by local daily The Standard on Monday, which was also carried by The Daily Nation, the most sold daily in Kenya on Saturday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping in his keynote speech at the World Economic Forum on Jan. 17 demonstrated Chinese wisdom and confidence whilst charting recovery plans in face of sluggish global economy and anti-globalization sentiments, Liu said.

Xi urged the world to develop a dynamic, innovation-driven growth model, pursue a well-coordinated and inter-connected approach towards evolving a model of open and win-win cooperation, the ambassador said.

"The growth of the African economy in general is dependent on the growth of the rest of the world, and with good economic performance in Africa, this world is assured of becoming a better place," said Liu.

He noted that China-Africa cooperation further promots the growth of the continent into one of the fastest growing economic regions in the world.

The 10 major cooperation plans announced during the Johannesburg summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2015 included change from over-reliance on resources trade pattern into one that is more investment and industrial cooperation oriented, he said.

Such an approach is intended to help Africa speed up her industrialization process and to effectively cope with the current international economic situation in view of the changes taking place on the global economic front that pose new challenges to Africa at every turn, he said.

The ambassador expressed confidence in China-Kenya cooperation.

In Africa, Kenya has been listed as a pilot and demonstration country of China-Africa cooperation in production capacity and the historic and natural extension of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, he said.

Based on the vital support of the leaders of the two countries alongside people from all walks of life, "the level of China-Kenya bilateral relations became unprecedented."

China-Kenya win-win cooperation in the context of mutual benefits has become an example of south-south collaboration and emblem of China-Africa cooperation, he said.

Liu added that China and Kenya will "continue to lift up the flag of globalization high" while making solid steps toward the implementation of the outcomes of the FOCAC Johannesburg summit. Endit