Africans In China

BEIJING: “In this golden October, we welcome you here to study and visit, to see a real China,” Wang Chen, director of the Information Office of China’s State Council, on Wednesday told African officials who are in Beijing to attend the fifth press seminar for African officials.

Thirty-two African officials, including senior press officials, spokespersons of presidential and prime minister’s offices, chiefs of major media organization from 18 countries, came to China to attend the two-week-long seminar. During the period, they will attend lectures and exchange views with Chinese press officials, journalists and experts. Apart from Beijing, they will also visit China’s economic hub Shanghai and the earthquake zone of Sichuan province.

It is expected that through the two-week seminar, the African officials could know more about China’s political, economic, cultural and social development and changes, and more actively promote press cooperation and development between China and Africa.

During the meeting with African officials, Wang Chen called the seminar a platform of China-Africa cooperation forum, and a bridge to connect Chinese and African people. He hopes the media chiefs of China and African countries could strengthen exchanges and cooperation, so as to promote mutual understanding between Chinese and African people.

Though four such press seminars have been held before, this year’s seminar has its own specialties, said the press chief.

He said the year 2008 has been a very special one for China, as the nation both suffered the devastating megaquake in Sichuan province and embraced the festive Olympics and Paralympics. So the organizers have included in this year’s seminar curriculum fresh journeys to visit Olympic stadiums in Beijing and the earthquake zones in Sichuan, he said.

African officials will also visit China’s countryside, which is still poor and backward, said Wang. “You’ll see that though China has made great achievements, we still face many challenges,” he said, adding “we want you to see a real China.”

Many African people get to know China through western media’s reports, Wang mentioned, which are sometimes biased, even wrong. That’s why African people need to make direct contact with the nation to see the real picture, just like what the Chinese people should do to Africa.

Adron Aledji Albada, head of the African delegation, said each of the participants cherishes the opportunity to visit and learn about China. When they return to Africa, they will tell the people there their personal feelings about China.

She also suggested that the Chinese Information Office set up a language center during the seminar, so the participating officials would have a chance to learn the Chinese language. Albada, head of Togo’s national TV station, also wished to have more contacts with Chinese TV stations during her stay to discuss possible cooperation.

The opening of the seminar also attracted some African ambassadors to the scene. Mauritian Ambassador Paul Reynold Lit Fong Chong Leung hoped the seminar would offer an occasion for African and Chinese press officials to share experiences, exchange views, and thus enhance their work capabilities.

Malagasy Ambassador Victor Sikonina said the official press of developing countries should be more obliged to inform the public about the government’s development plans, so the whole nation could stick to them as one.

Diarra Diakite, Mali’s presidential communication advisor wearing a stunning golden robe, a traditional costume named “boubou,” told Xinhua that it’s his first time to visit China so he was quite excited and curious about everything.

“This is actually a great opportunity for me, as I’ve always wanted to come to China to see it with my own eyes, to meet its people, to see its changes,” Diakite said.

“Though I’ve only been here for one day, I’ve already got a good impression,” he said. “I see people working hard to improve their living conditions.”

Cote D’ivoire’s technical adviser to the Prime Minister’s office Aboubakar Toto Ouattara told Xinhua that he was “impressed by the development of the country.”

“It’s important for us to experience all these so we know that it’s possible for us to achieve them too,” he said.

The seminar, founded in August of 2004, aims at strengthening China-Africa press cooperation and cementing

(asianews)

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