Delegates at the Forum join Mafitlhakgosi cultural group for a picture
Cynthia Thanda
China and Africa’s bilateral relations is a book with amazing chapters of amazing works.
This year marks the commemoration of the decade-long existence of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that was proposed by the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping.
On Saturday 11th November 2023, the Grand Aria Hotel in the beautiful capital of Botswana, Gaborone was teeming with overseas Chinese from across Africa, both in person and via video link.
They were joined in one purpose – to celebrate the 10th anniversary Forum of the China-Africa Cultural Exchange and Belt and Road Initiative.
In his welcome remarks, Secretary General of Botswana China Friendship Association (BOCFA) Rudolf Boy, highlighted that the Belt and Road Initiative seeks to improve various forms of connectivity including policy, infrastructure, trade, financial and people to people connection.
He pointed out that it draws inspiration from the historical Silk Road and that it aims to stimulate global economy and establish a platform for international cooperation.
“The scope of the Belt and Road collaboration has expanded beyond to encompass regions such as Africa and Latin America. At BOCFA, we stand to encourage collaboration between the people of China here and Batswana who are in China,” Boy said.
For his part, Professor Georges Ivo Ekosse applauded the Confucius Institute at the University of Botswana as a beacon of this cultural exchange.
He said the institute opens a window into the Chinese language, arts and traditions, thereby prospering the deeper appreciation and understanding of the culture, adding that he envisions a landscape where these exchanges develop into dealing more robust collaborations.
Over the past decade, as participants, contributors and beneficiaries of this great undertaking, the vast number of overseas Chinese in Africa have transformed their deep affection for their homeland into a powerful driving force for actively participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.
They have played an active role in various fields of international cooperation under the initiative, contributing their wisdom and strength for high quality construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Chinese Ambassador Wang Xuefeng rightly observed that we live in an era full of challenges and hopes, but that in the face of a century of changes, the stable progress of China-Africa relations and successful China-Africa cooperation add new momentum to global development and increase stability in the world.
“Let us firm up our cultural confidence, uphold the stance of Chinese culture, promote the exchange and mutual learning of civilisations and make new and greater contributions to promote cultural prosperity, building a culturally strong country, fostering a modern Chinese civilisation and promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind,” the Ambassador appealed.
And in his closing remarks, Miles Nan, Executive Chairman of Africa China Cultural and Arts Exchange Society and Botswana China Friendship Association expressed full confidence in Africa’s future in the China Africa Cultural and artistic exchanges, “in our cooperation and friendship and in the future of the Belt and Road”.
He said that as long as we join hands and advance together, we will welcome a brighter future in China-Africa exchanges.
The Forum was spiced up by fun activities, entertainment and cultural performance by Botswana Traditional dance troupe, Mafitlhakgosi, who earned themselves a donation of blankets.
(C) TPA2023
