2018年CRI China-Africa collaboration welcomed by African people

 

Since its establishment, the Forum¹ on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has facilitated a number of bilateral² cooperation projects in areas such as infrastructure³, auto⁴ and retail⁵ and brought new opportunities to people in Africa.

The Standard-Gauge Railway that connects Kenya's capital Nairobi and port city of Mombasa is also the first major project between China and Kenya since they established a comprehensive cooperative partnership⁶.

The construction of the railway created nearly 50 thousand jobs for locals, driving Kenya's GDP growth by more than 1.5%.

Harrison Kimani, a conductor with the railway, says the project has benefitted Kenya's economy in all respects.

"The construction and operation of the Mombasa–Nairobi railway has brought jobs for local young people. Local staff makes up the majority in each department. As long as you come here for training, you will have a start for new life. Kenyan railways still need to develop, and China shares the technology with us. The Mombasa–Nairobi railway has also promoted the growth of the agricultural sector⁷. Many of our passengers are farmers. They choose to plant in Emali, where planting is cheaper. Then they deliver their products to Nairobi – as the grain price is higher here. It can also relieve the food pressure in Nairobi," says Kimani.

In the Coega Special Economic Zone in South Africa, the Beijing Automotive Group is building a comprehensive manufacturing hub combining the functions of research, production, sales and financial services.

The company is aiming to raise the percentage of locally produced car parts to 60 percent within five years.

Du Rong with the South African branch of Beijing Automotive Group says production of the company's first car made in South Africa has finished.

"During the construction of our factory, quite a few projects were done with the help of local businesses in South Africa, including the cleaning and tree-planting work. Small- and medium-sized local companies have helped with more than 30 percent of projects that are less technique-demanding. We also plan to buy components⁸ from some small- and medium-sized local companies," says Du.

Industrialization in Africa is a highlight of China-Africa collaboration⁹.

The C&H garments in the Rwandan capital Kigali is the biggest clothing maker¹⁰ in the country.

Before, there were only some small clothing workshops in Rwanda. The Chinese firm is the first to export clothing products to foreign countries, with 80 percent of orders coming from Europe and the U.S.

Ma Xiaomei is the CEO of C&H. She says local people welcome Chinese investment and her company is willing to share its experience with locals.

"Influenced by us, there are dozens of small-sized local factories working on 'Made in Rwanda' products. They came to us to see what machines we are using and learn how to use them. We also recommended our suppliers to them. We want to build good business relations with local companies. The Rwandan government also has high expectation for us to help develop 'Made in Africa'," says Ma.

For the past 18 years since the Forum on China―Africa Cooperation was established, trade volume between China and Africa has surged from 10 billion U.S. dollars to 170 billion dollars.

Meantime, Chinese investment in the continent has exceeded 100 billion dollars.

1 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

2 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

3 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

4 auto   

n.(=automobile)(口语)汽车

参考例句：

• Don't park your auto here.别把你的汽车停在这儿。
• The auto industry has brought many people to Detroit.汽车工业把许多人吸引到了底特律。

5 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

6 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

7 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

8 components   

（机器、设备等的）构成要素，零件，成分； 成分( component的名词复数 )； [物理化学]组分； [数学]分量； （混合物的）组成部分

参考例句：

• the components of a machine 机器部件
• Our chemistry teacher often reduces a compound to its components in lab. 在实验室中化学老师常把化合物分解为各种成分。

9 collaboration   

n.合作，协作；勾结

参考例句：

• The two companies are working in close collaboration each other.这两家公司密切合作。
• He was shot for collaboration with the enemy.他因通敌而被枪毙了。

10 maker   

n.制造者，制造商

参考例句：

• He is a trouble maker，You must be distant with him.他是个捣蛋鬼，你不要跟他在一起。
• A cabinet maker must be a master craftsman.家具木工必须是技艺高超的手艺人。