CONNECTING: African NGO reps network in China (CHEN FEI)

As the relationship between China and Africa matures, traditional communication is moving beyond the traditional areas such as politics, business and trade.

Exchanges of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) between the two sides have become increasingly frequent in recent years. In working together to address common problems, such cooperation and engagements have served as a powerful driving force in the deep friendship between China and Africa.

Against this backdrop, the China-Africa NGO Seminar took place in Beijing on October 28, 2010. Taking the theme "Enhance China-Africa Friendship, Seek Common Development," the seminar was co-organized by the China NGO Network for International Exchanges (CNIE) and Chinese-African People's Friendship Association (CAPFA). It provided a platform for Chinese and African representatives to share their experience of NGO practices.

"Enhancing China-Africa friendship and seeking common development is not only the theme of this forum, but also the shared goals and tasks of both Chinese and African NGOs," said You Jianhua, Secretary General of CNIE.

Like a marriage

Exchanges between Chinese and African NGOs will boost the relationship of the two sides. Attendee Mavuto Bamusi from Human Rights Consultative Committee in Malawi likened the NGO cooperation to a marriage between China and Africa. "Just like men and women engage before they get married, China and Africa have been engaged with each other for some time. Today is the big day for them," he told the seminar.

But for Malawo Matyola, Executive Secretary of Zambia Council for Social Development, the way Chinese NGOs cooperate with their African counterparts is more like common development rather than simply give-and-take.

Matyola told ChinAfrica that NGO cooperation between China and Africa would produce a win-win rather than win-lose result. "China is different with Western countries in communicating with Africa. Western countries help Africa in order to control it. It doesn't mean China has no profit in Africa, but it assists Africa for the mutual benefit of both sides," he said.