By You Nuo
Beijing is hosting a China-Africa summit this week and many
poster boards have been erected along the city's major roads
announcing the importance of Sino-African relations. The
significance of the once seemingly distant continent to China is
yet to be fully appreciated by many people here. And the best
rewards China can hopefully gain from Africa are nothing
material.
Of course, material-wise, China's benefit from Africa is
indisputable rich. According to officials from the Chinese Ministry
of Commerce, China-African trade is expected to exceed US$50
billion this year, boosted, in part, by the most-favored-nation
trade status that China and 41 African countries provide to each
other.
Five years ago, by comparison, China's trade with Africa was
still US$10 billion. In trade volume, Africa's importance for China
increased five times in five years, faster than any other region's
increase in the world.
Viewed in conjunction with the upcoming fifth anniversary of
China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the
completion of membership compliance, this is only the beginning.
China's trade is on a rapid rise with all continents in the world
and the trend is showing no signs of abating.
Although many Chinese doubted its fruition five years ago, when
Beijing mustered courage to pursue China's WTO membership, it is
now clear the country has benefited enormously from joining it and
becoming a more active participant in the global market.
Some 20 years ago, China's weight was only marginal in global
trade. In only five years, China has advanced by leaps and
bounds.
Many other countries in the developing world can also achieve
similar results. Equally rapid changes would occur in their
economies if they could better accommodate the global market
system, and embark on social programs at the same time.
China can do more for its African partners than just buying more
goods and services.
It can try to involve more of these countries into free trade
relations, whether with China's neighbors in East Asia and
Southeast Asia, or with other big emerging market countries, such
as India and Brazil, and even developed countries.
Learning to be a co-manager of the global trade relations will
create an increasing sense of certainty for traders in all
countries. Such a favorable global business environment will bring
healthy returns to China.
One of the most important ways China can help African countries
is assisting in the development programs. China has plenty of
hard-working skilled farmers with various cash crops and managers
of small labor-intensive factories.
Such human resources are still not expensive compared to those
provided by NGOs and aid organizations from the developed
countries, although these Western-based groups may have greater
financial expertise and local knowledge.
It would be rewarding if China played a bigger role in Africa's
economic and social programs through multi-lateral efforts with
local governments and international organizations.
Recruiting volunteer university graduates to go to Africa with
experienced farmers and small factory managers can generate good
returns both ways.
In many parts of China, especially in its poor regions, there
are a glaring lack of social programs, adequate leaders and
organizers.
Young Chinese intellectuals toughened by experience of working
in international programs can serve as managers of similar programs
when they come home.
(China Daily October 30, 2006)
