The most important form of foreign assistance that can be provided to Africa currently centres around industrialisation efforts and boosting the continent’s ability to improve and expand its industrial capability, Chinese Embassy in South Africa charge d'affairs Li Zhigang said this week.

Speaking at a joint event, hosted by the People’s Republic of China in South Africa and the South African Institute of International Affairs, on August 31, he said China-Africa infrastructure cooperation is in line with the development plans of African countries.

“China-Africa cooperation [is being done] in line with African development plans in various countries, it helps Africa to enhance its own [manufacturing] function, [and] lays a solid foundation [for] industrial upgrading and developments.

“It has changed the face of Africa in a real and visible way. That delivery is the most important thing to make the people feel and sense it,” stated Zhigang.

China’s infrastructure projects in Africa generate more than $50-billion a year in revenue for the continent, he said.

“For example, the Mombasa-Nairobi railway has created nearly 15 000 local jobs and driven Kenya’s economic growth by about 1.5%, in June this year, [while Central African Republic solar] photovoltaic [PV] power plants [were] the first PV plants in [the region to be] connected to the grid to generate electricity. It has greatly alleviated the power shortage in the capital Bangui and promoted local economic and social developments.”

However, as China and Africa strengthen their relationship toward a higher-quality one, a broader scope and a deeper level of engagement, there arises “concocted notions and false accusations” that China is leading African countries into debt traps and creating a neo-colonialisation environment, stated Zhigang.

These negative representations only serve to “drive a wedge” between China and Africa, forcing Africa to takes sides when deciding whether to accept Chinese investment and influence, he added. “This is a . . . divisive trap, at a time [when] we all should stay with each other in coordination/cooperation to fight against this form of division.”

“China is a provider of development opportunities, not a debt trap maker,” he said.

He posited that China was a builder for a better Africa and a better world, not a “predator” of Africa’s resources.

“Following the principle of sincerity, real results, affinity [for Africa’s developmental goals] and good faith, and the right approach to justice and shared interests, we see a combination of Africa’s advantages in various resources, including mineral resources with China’s advanced technology and a vast market to foster a new pattern of mutual benefits,” said Zhigang.