Scholars reach “Consensus on Deepening Global Development Cooperation” cementing relations
Silence Charumbira, recently in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – The 13th meeting of the China-Africa Think Tanks Forum (CATTF) held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on 8 March 2024 made strides towards shaping future relations between the peoples and governments of China and Africa.
The one-day event was hosted by the Secretariat of the Chinese Follow-up Committee of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and co-organised by Zhejiang Normal University (ZJNU), the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United Republic of Tanzania, the Department of Foreign Affairs of Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government, and Jinhua Municipal People’s Government.
Over 300 people explore way to smoothen China-Africa relations
More than 300 people attended the meeting both physically and virtually as scholars explored the work that has Already been done in the 70 years of China-Africa cooperation as well as attempting to shape future engagements.
The meeting was also a prelude to the “track-two diplomacy” of China-Africa cooperation and the upcoming session of FOCAC.
Guests at the forum included representatives of international organisations in Tanzania, diplomatic envoys, government officials, think tank scholars, media reporters, and entrepreneurs from China and 49 African countries.
James Mdoe, Deputy Permanent Secretary in Tanzania’s education ministry; Chen Mingjian, the People’s Republic of China’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of to the United Republic of Tanzania; Lu Shan, the Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province; and Nelson Boniface, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research of the University of Dar es Salaam, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.
Jiang Yunliang, the Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Normal University Committee presided over the opening ceremony.
The meeting comprised an opening ceremony, two plenary sessions, four parallel forums and a closing ceremony.
Sharing ideas to improve relations
for Representatives from various sectors in China and Africa exchanged ideas on topics such as “China-Africa Propositions: Navigating a Changing World,” “China and Africa: Jointly Establishing a Model of Modern Development Cooperation,” “Carrying Forward Friendship and Cooperation: Strengthening China-Africa Ties,” and “Working Together: Advancing ‘One Initiative and Two Plans’.’’
“They explored cooperation mechanisms, strategic measures, and concrete actions between China and Africa in the fields of industrialisation, agricultural modernisation, and nurturing talents. Through theoretical discussions, case studies, experience analysis, and future planning, both sides have envisioned a new landscape for a community with a shared future between China and Africa amidst unprecedented global changes,” a statement from the organisers said.
“The China-Africa Think Tank Forum is among one of the most significant sub-forums within the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Over the past 15 years, a total of 15 international academic exchange activities, including 13 China-Africa Think Tank Forums and the inaugural China-Africa Think Tank & Media Seminar, have been successively held in both China and African countries. These events have engaged more than 5 000 scholars from both sides in discussions on major issues and strategic cooperation of mutual concern.”
Consequently, the statement said, strong consensus has been reached on various fronts.
“China firmly supports Africa in achieving true independence in thought and concept, helps Africa enhance its capacity for independent development, and supports Africa in achieving its modernisation process.
“The meeting yielded significant results. Following extensive consultation from both sides, the China-Africa Think Tanks Forum issued the ‘Africa-China Dar es Salaam Consensus’—the ‘Consensus Among African and Chinese Think Tanks on Deepening Global Development Cooperation.’ This document calls on the international community to deepen development cooperation in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, solidarity, cooperation, openness for mutual benefit, and shared prosperity.”
Collaborating towards modernisation to foster a community of s shared future and firm relations
The document aims to encourage countries to collaborate towards modernisation and foster a community with a shared future for humanity.
The ‘Africa-China Dar es Salaam Consensus’ comprises eight specific agreements, prioritising development, global multipolarity, economic globalisation, international financial reform, sustainable development, endogenous development momentum, global security development, and knowledge sharing for development.
“These agreements provide significant guidance and principles for human development, with a lasting impact on deepening China-Africa cooperation and global development collaboration.
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“Consensus builds strength, and cooperation generates value. Participants gave positive evaluations of the ‘Africa-China Dar es Salaam Consensus.’ Currently, as multipolarity accelerates and international power dynamics undergo profound adjustments, a “new globalisation” mainly driven and led by forces from the “Global South” is emerging. As a result, human society requires increased interdependence, greater wisdom, and a broader consensus in knowledge and ideology. The release of the “Africa-China Dar es Salaam Consensus” comes at an opportune moment. The consensus is universal, forward-looking, and pragmatic, with far-reaching implications for deepening China-Africa cooperation and global development collaboration.
Ruan Ganghui, the Deputy Mayor of the Jinhua Municipal People’s Government, introduced the Forum on China-Africa Economic and Trade Relations and Cultural Exchanges, while Yang Xiaojun, the President of the China-Africa Fund for Industrial Cooperation, outlined key projects of China-Africa cooperation.
During the opening ceremony, Professor Liu Hongwu, the Director of the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University (ZJNU), and Charles Okechukwu Onunaiju, the Director of the Center for China Studies in Nigeria, jointly unveiled the Chinese, English, and French editions of the “Initiative for the Establishment of the China-Africa Think Tank Cooperation Network” on behalf of Chinese and African scholars. They called for enhanced cooperation between think tanks and the establishment of a network of think tank collaborations between China and Africa, aiming to foster mutual understanding and shared development between both sides.
