CHINA is an important nation and a great partner in the development of Africa. Its emergence as powerful nation economically and dedicated to helping African countries, has happened at a critical moment when African countries need a trusted partner and a true friend who can contribute to helping solve their long lasting problems.

African nations have been struggling economically for a long time since the colonial period and even after independence. Efforts to free themselves economically encountered many obstacles and unbreakable chains, leading them to a state of despair and loss of hope of freeing themselves from the bondage of darkness.

Before and after independence, colonial nations labelled Africa as a dark continent, describing it as a land that should continue to be governed and aided.

From their perspective, they still believe that African countries cannot govern themselves. They still harbour feelings that they (colonial nations) still have the right and authority to continue governing them and formulate policies to run their financial and economic systems.

The myth of the Dark Continent has always been advanced by colonialists to further their political and economic agenda. In other words, the term Dark Continent signifies that Africans have no identity, are of less value and can not govern themselves. They believe Africans must continue to be oppressed.

They believe Africans know nothing about the wealthiness of their natural resources and do not deserve to benefit from their own natural riches Despite their pride that they were the ones who discovered African continent and everything in it such as lakes, rivers, mountains, valleys etc, the fact is that, the Chinese were the first to reach Africa even before the missionaries.

History shows that, the first group of Chinese explorers and traders arrived in Africa in the 14th century. However, despite being the first to reach Africa, they did not take anything nor did they declare themselves to be the ones who discovered the continent of Africa.

It should be understood that, the Chinese did not have exploitative mentality like that of the colonial nations and they had no plan of occupying Africa by force despite the abundance of its natural resources.

They did not think so because they knew for sure that everything that was inside the continent was not theirs but belonged to the Africans themselves. Unlike the negative attitude of Western countries towards Africa, China respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of African countries and does not interfere in their internal political affair.

Along with its good noninterfering policy, China also respects African countries much and considers them to be partners and true friends. It should be remembered that, when African nations were fighting for independence, China fought side by side with those nations while providing them with necessary support such as military equipments, military training and other material and moral support.

Its moral and material support helped African countries attain their independence from colonialist countries. However, despite many African nations attaining their independence in the early 50s and 60s from the colonialists, they did not gain full independence and were not economically liberated.

A real example is that, those countries have been taking advantage of African problems and forcing them to make reforms in their financial and economic policies, political and governance systems before providing them with loans or aid. Contrary to western policies, China has never forced African countries to imitate its culture nor asking them to make reforms in their financial and economic policies, neither in their political systems.

Rather, it emphasises on African countries to choose their own development path that suits their natural settings. Even now, the Western nations still think that African countries can be commanded anyhow.

They think they still have the authority to demand everything from them. Contrary to that view, China’s perception differs from that of the West, it does not consider Africa to be part of its Breast cancer: Why it’s difficult to treat, what new approaches are on the horizon China, a trustworthy development partner for Africa A MAP shows where Chinese explorers and traders visited in the 14th century.

permanent interests, but rather, it considers them to be its biggest friend and permanent partners. In its cooperation with African countries, China has never prioritised its interests, rather, the interests of all. It has always been rejecting the interventionists’ policy of the Western countries and has been at the forefront to oppose such behaviour of interfering in the internal political affairs of other countries.

It should also be noted that, since and before independence, China has had good relations with many African countries and has been helping them without interfering in their internal affairs or forcing them to obey its wishes.

To maintain its credibility, it formulated the policy of noninterference which prohibits any form of interferences in their internal affairs. This policy has strengthened diplomatic relations and enhanced trade and economic cooperation between China and African countries.

It is worth noting that diplomatic relations between China and African countries are built on the principles of justice, equality, trust, mutual respect and mutual benefit.

Through these principles, China does not force African countries to imitate or follow its political system nor its culture as western countries do. It should be remembered that, China has passed through a testing period and oppressive environment similar to that of African countries. History shows it was forcibly occupied by foreign forces in some parts of its territory.

With China’s funding, African countries have been able to build many developmental infrastructures which reduced the infrastructure gap in respective countries.

The emergence of China as economic power and non-interventionist nation, has brought new light and hope to the development of Africa.

With its emergence, China has completely removed the ideas and attitudes of some Western politicians who still believe that African countries are poor and can not govern by themselves without their help. Contrary to that view, China sees African countries as rich and capable of governing themselves without any foreign interference.

This principle provides an opportunity for all countries to share the benefits equally. At the 2018 Beijing FOCACA Summit, China introduced A ‘Five-No’ Policy approach in its foreign policy towards African countries. In his speech at the opening ceremony of the Forum, President Xi Jinping described five major aspects that will never be used by China as a policy in any engagement with Africa countries.

His strong remarks were to assure African leaders that China’s policy and strategy towards Africa are only aiming to support and build the capacity of African countries so as to enable them to build their independent economy and achieve sustainable development.

China’s foreign policy and its principles and initiatives are essential in promoting diplomatic relations, social and trade cooperation, as well as promoting economic development in Africa. Basically, African nations failed to grow economically due to the strict policies of many foreign donors.

Its engagement with African countries and its given supports through FOCAC have contributed greatly in the development of African countries and fostering sustainable development in Africa.

Therefore, African nations should cooperate more closely with China so that they can reap the fruits of its success and lead them towards success. (The writer is a Dar es Salaam-based analyst on international politics and foreign relations. Email: cleophacegeorge@gmail.com)