Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

4 min read | 21:20 pm CAT

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Research Director at The Centre for Africa China studies at the University of Johannesburg, Emmanuel Matambo, highlights the learnings Africa can take from China’s experiences in this week’s Africa Report.  

China is currently holding the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which is expected to give Xi Jinping an unprecedented third term as the President of China.

In his opening remarks, President Xi Jinping hailed his assertiveness over Hong Kong, which has now moved from chaos to order, and he highlighted that the Taiwan issue should be left to the Chinese people alone.  

Telin Lixi mentioned the importance of cultural harmony, a reference to China’s methods of dealing with minorities in the Xinjiang province. He has now become the most powerful leader in China after Mao Zedong.

China has made great strides in using poverty and advancing economic growth. 

According to Matambo, policy consistency is one of the things that Africa can learn from the Chinese experience.

He says, “The major difference is most of our policies are usually tied to the electoral terms, whereas China is a country where the same party has been in power for 73 years.” 

Another method is foresight. Matambo said China usually plans way rather than just for an election, including the prioritisation of the reduction of poverty. 

Regarding the Africa-China relationship improvement in the future with Xi Jinping still President, Matambo said there are still many challenges that China has from 40 years ago, including poverty.

According to Matambo, political stability is where China could help Africa end some of its development problems. 

Technological advancement is a critical matter. According to the National Communications Union, about 33 per cent of Africans are still not connected to the internet. 

Matambo says, “China’s technological strides, especially its working concept between Huawei and MTN, are some of the things China could use to bring the mainstream of African citizens into internet connectivity. That will help Africa to navigate the challenges of the future that are increasingly independent on advancement in terms of technology,” he says.

Listen to the Africa Report with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat and Emmanual Matambo Radio Islam’s podcast below.