Live and Let Live

The stories about gays and lesbians in your July issue were very informative. I had heard that gays and lesbians are persecuted in China and have to live 'underground', but it seems times are changing. At least in China leaders do not openly make such bold statements as our leaders in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Uganda. It is shameful to publicly condemn people for a lifestyle of choice and I am happy that your African historian stated that homosexuality has always existed in African society. These bigoted African leaders have no idea about tolerance and just make our continent appear more backward with their hate speech utterances. A leader should accept all his people as long as they are peaceful, taxpaying citizens.

Vukile Pondo

Malawi

African Business Law 

ChinAfrica magazine is an invaluable resource for professionals and individuals interested in Sino-African relations. It's a pleasure to learn more about the cooperation and development between these two regions of the world. ChinAfrica's articles are primarily macro-oriented, which lends itself to introducing a particular country in Africa. However, I would be interested to read more micro-oriented analysis, such as business law as it relates to specific countries. I visited Cameroon for the first time three months ago, and observed private Chinese clinics, restaurants, and construction companies. I came to the realization that relationships developing between China and Africa are not only between their respective governments, but also, to an increasing extent, between private companies and small businesses.

Some African countries share the same system of business law, for example OHBLA (Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa), which comprises 16 member states. However, the actual implementation of this common legal framework differs in its implementation from country to country. It would be of particular interest to further investigate African business law and share Chinese companies' experiences in various countries.

Lisa Sodalo

Shanghai, China 

Good Governance?

It's a standing joke in Africa that to get a head of state out of power after their term of office is up would need a bulldozer. Our African leaders do like to hold on to power, often doing whatever it takes to stay at the top of the tree. Perhaps that is why it is so difficult for the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Good Governance to find a winning candidate, or any candidate for that matter. Focusing on heads of state in Sub-Saharan Africa and awarded to those who have shown excellence in leadership, the prize has one important qualification. Candidates must have left office in the previous three years before being eligible for the prize and have served their constitutional term as stipulated when taking office. That's where it gets tricky. Also not to be sneezed at is the prize money on offer. At $5 million it is the biggest annually awarded prize in the world. Those with a sense of humor will no doubt  say that heads of state can make many times more than that in corrupt deals so why worry about being glorified in a prize for good governance.  Ah indeed these are the best of times and indeed the worst of times.

Alan Silverman

Namibia

 Mandela Day A Good Thing

The establishment of annual Mandela International Day [UN declared July 18 as Nelson Mandela International Day] is a kind of recognition of Mandela's contributions to the freedom, equality and democracy of Africa. This great leader has dedicated his whole life to promoting African race relationships, human rights and gender equality. He definitely deserves to be commemorated by people all over the world.

Li Zhigang

Beijing, China 

Mandela is a great leader as he brought a new way for conflict resolution, which is to seek peace and coexistence rather than resort to violence. It has great implication for the international relationship and conflict resolution today. Nowadays, there are still wars and conflicts among nations and ethnic groups in Africa. It is crucial to reflect on history and seek for a win-win strategy. Violence will lead to no-win situation, but peace and coexistence will be mutually beneficial.

 Liu Liyun

Beijing, China

This resolution has indicated that peace and development remains the irresistible trend, and violence is never the best way to resolve conflict. Mandela International Day is far more than just the affirmation of Mandela, it makes us aware of how important peace and stability is to us.

  Zhang Cheng

Xi'an, China