Chinese experts examine rice growth with locals in a rice demonstration area in the Centre-Ouest Region, Burkina Faso, on 13 July 2021 (XINHUA)

African ambassadors in China serve as key links between China and their respective countries. With firsthand observation and experience of China’s development, their insights into China-Africa cooperation and frameworks like the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) are valuable. Edited excerpts of the views of three ambassadors follow. 

China-Burkina Faso Cooperation Is Exemplary 

Daouda Bitie 

Ambassador of Burkina Faso to China  

I have been in Beijing at our diplomatic mission since 2019. At this stage, I can say that cooperation between Burkina Faso and China is going very well. In six years of cooperation, we have achieved a lot and I would say that the results are very satisfactory. Today, our cooperation is exemplary. Much has been achieved on the ground in all areas, including agriculture, infrastructure, education and training. On the economic front, too, we can mention infrastructure such as the hospital in Bobo-Dioulasso, or certain forms of support, such as in the energy sector, with solar energy being one example.  

There are many other projects being carried out, particularly in the agricultural sector, such as the project to develop local maize production, as well as Smart Burkina, which is currently in its third phase. In other words, we are very satisfied with this cooperation in almost all areas. It should also be noted that during the COVID-19 period, China was very present in Burkina Faso through donations, vaccines, financial support, masks and so on. So we’re really very happy. 

The Chinese experience can bring a lot to our country because we know very well how China’s development started in rural areas. I’ve been lucky enough to visit several places. I’ve seen how the agricultural system has been very modernised, and here at home we’re still in the traditional phase. This experience of mechanisation in Chinese agriculture, if we manage to do the same here at home, I believe we will achieve food self-sufficiency. And today, the authorities in our country have understood this. Tractors have recently been distributed to modernise production. A number of presidential initiatives have been taken to ensure food self-sufficiency. For us and for the Burkinabe authorities, this means first and foremost being able to meet the basic needs of the population, and China has already done this. 

This year is indeed the ninth FOCAC meeting. It’s a very important meeting between Africa and China, because it will see what this forum can do for the development of Africa and the decisions that will be taken will have repercussions, I should say, for the whole world. This is a very important meeting and we hope, as I said, that Burkina Faso will be represented at the highest level. It is an opportunity to exchange views on cooperation and vision and to lay new foundations for improving that cooperation. We hope that by the end of this FOCAC, our cooperation will have reached an even higher level. 

* This is an except from the ambassador’s interview with CGTN. 

Niger Looks to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation in Energy and Security 

Garba Seyni 

Ambassador of Niger to China 

Cooperation between Niger and China has been exemplary and mutually beneficial over the past 50 years. A number of major objectives have been achieved in various fields, including major investments in the form of donations from China to Niger. 

These include the construction, in the capital Niamey, of a 35,000-seat multi-purpose sports stadium, two bridges over the River Niger that have considerably improved the flow of road traffic, and Niger’s largest hospital with a capacity of 500 beds. 

Chinese companies such as China National Petroleum Corp. have also invested heavily in the oil sector, enabling Niger to become an oil producer and exporter, to the great benefit of both countries. Chinese companies are also involved in the construction of roads and buildings. This makes China Niger’s leading investment partner. 

In recent years, holders of diplomatic and/or service passports have been exempted from the visa requirement for travel between the two countries. This testifies to the development and excellence of cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1974. 

As far as the outlook is concerned, we believe that Niger will continue to benefit from Chinese expertise in various fields and from China’s exceptional financial capacity to boost its development. 

The upcoming FOCAC summit, to be held in September in Beijing, is undoubtedly the key event that will enable Niger to set out its priorities in terms of bilateral cooperation. The following points could therefore be put on the agenda.  

The first one is energy, which is an important issue because Niger only manages to cover 20 percent of its needs by itself.  

Then there is the issue of insecurity linked to terrorism, which is a scourge not only for Niger but also for the entire Sahel-Saharan strip stretching from the west to the east coasts of Africa.  

These two factors have a negative impact on all development initiatives in Niger.  

As far as Africa as a whole is concerned, strengthening infrastructure such as roads and railways as part of structuring projects to facilitate trade and modernising agriculture with a view to attain food self-sufficiency would be beneficial to all stakeholders. 

Sudan and China Have Support in Each Other 

Omer Mohamed Ahmed Siddig 

Ambassador of Sudan to China  

I think our political relations are very good, and we get support from China, be it in regional or international forums. So we are very keen to develop and deepen our relationship with China. There are also exchanges of support. We know how China is now targeted over the South China Sea or Taiwan. So we support the Chinese government, be it in the international forums, non-aligned movement or South-South cooperation. We follow One China policy. China for us is one.  

So, what is needed now is to augment the economic relations. Because to have good relations you need to have joint interests, and joint interests can only be created through economic contacts and economic engagements. That can help to strengthen political relations. 

It is always my conviction that China is a trusted economic partner, and we have had Chinese involvement economically in the country, and in the rest of Africa, for a long time. 

We are convinced that the wheel of economic development will not keep rotating without the assistance of China. China is capable and willing to help other communities and other countries. 

I think we already have lots of agreements with Chinese companies and Chinese government for economic development in the country. And as I said, the resources of Sudan are still untapped. It is only now the Chinese are very keen to invest inside the country. Lots of opportunities are there for the Chinese, because we trust the Chinese and we know them.