Vision for stronger China-Africa ties

African students in China discuss their continent's cultural richness and the potential for deepening China-Africa cooperation in Youth Power.

Many African friends living in China are often asked a curious question by locals: Is Africa hotter than China's sweltering sanfu period, known as the "dog days of summer"?

This question was one of the topics explored in the latest episode of China Daily's Youth Power, which aired on Aug 30, featuring seven young people from six African nations.

Jenipher Asiimwe, a 35-year-old Ugandan student at the Communication University of China, shared that Uganda's climate differs from China's. While China experiences four distinct seasons, Uganda typically has a dry season and a rainy season.

"The temperature during the dry season can range from 28 C to 31 C, whereas during the rainy season, it drops to around 24 C," she explained.

The diverse climates and geographical features across Africa have given rise to distinctive natural landscapes, including the famous wildebeest migration.

Calvin Nyagudi, a Kenyan student pursuing his doctorate at Beijing Jiaotong University, described the breathtaking scene of wildebeests crossing rivers. "Some of them are attacked by crocodiles, while others manage to reach the other side. It's quite magnificent," he said, noting that the best time to witness this spectacle is during July and August.

In addition to its striking natural scenery, Africa, as the world's second most populous continent, is also renowned for its cultural diversity.

Uzodinma Chinenye Gerlof, a 29-year-old Nigerian student at Beijing Foreign Studies University, highlighted that Nigeria is home to around 250 ethnic groups speaking over 500 languages.

"All these ethnic groups come together to form one country and live peacefully together," he said.

He is amazed that Africa's diverse cultures have not hindered the continent's unity, progress, or global interactions.

A good example, as mentioned by the episode's host Zhong Yutong, is the Bandung Conference. In 1955, representatives from 29 Asian and African countries and regions gathered in Bandung, Indonesia. This historic event marked the first major international conference where Asian and African nations independently discussed their interests and development.

The conference resonated with the rising global movements for national liberation at the time and remains a significant moment in China-Africa cooperation and friendship, which emphasizes principles of equality, mutual benefit, and inclusivity.

"In Tanzania, we gained our independence in 1961, and our diplomatic relationship with China was established in 1964. This year, we celebrate our 60th anniversary," said Fathiya Mohamed Said, a 25-year-old Tanzanian student.

As a medical student at Jiangsu University, Said observed that while many African students study medicine abroad and return home, Africa still faces considerable healthcare challenges.

She explained that the problem is often not a lack of medical talent but rather the inadequate supply of essential medical equipment and medications. Fortunately, Tanzania has benefited from China's humanitarian assistance, which has greatly improved the well-being of its people.

"I really appreciate the Chinese medical team. It's not a one-time occurrence where they say, 'OK, we'll come back in five years or once a decade'; it's an annual thing that they do every year," she said.

Asiimwe also mentioned that one of the major hospitals in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, was established through collaborative efforts between China and Uganda.

According to her, people traveling from the western city of Fort Portal to Kampala once faced a two-day journey covering 281 miles, which posed a serious risk to those in urgent need of medical care. However, with the support of Chinese enterprises, the road linking the two locations has been significantly improved, reducing travel time to just four hours.

Nyagudi also highlighted China's role in helping Kenya develop critical transportation infrastructure. One standout project is the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, a flagship collaboration between China and Kenya under the Belt and Road Initiative.

According to Nyagudi, this railway has played a crucial role in advancing Kenya's economic and social growth, earning it the local title of a "road to happiness".

While pursuing his doctoral degree in economics and management in China, Nyagudi has gained valuable insights into poverty alleviation through China's rural revitalization efforts.

He pointed out that in the past, inadequate rural infrastructure in Kenya, particularly poor road conditions, allowed middlemen to exploit farmers by purchasing their products at low prices, leading to substantial profits for the middlemen while leaving the farmers disadvantaged.

With improved infrastructure now in place, Nyagudi is developing software to address this issue. He is inspired by China's successful e-commerce platforms such as Pinduoduo and the Taobao villages model — a poverty reduction initiative that engages rural residents in e-commerce to promote local products online.

"They help farmers link directly to consumers," Nyagudi said. "If China can do it, so can we — and we will do it."

For Jenny Andrea, a 19-year-old Cameroonian student at Tsinghua University, the advancement of infrastructure not only improves the transportation of goods but also encourages cultural interactions in Cameroon.

She explained that Cameroon is often referred to as "Africa in miniature" due to its rich diversity in ethnic groups. In this context, infrastructure plays a crucial role in helping these groups understand and appreciate each other's cultural differences.

"The world needs China-Africa cooperation because I believe it has the potential to foster growth, cultural exchange, and sustainable development on a global scale, and that's what the world needs right now," Andrea said.