China Daily Global Edition (USA)
China helps on Africa’s biggest problems, needs
NAIROBI, Kenya — Nowadays, one can hardly travel around Africa without noticing the presence of Chinese nationals — regardless of whether they are tourists, businessmen, peacekeepers, staff members of medical teams, or employees of Chinese-owned enterprises.
No matter which African country they are in, or what sort of occupation they are engaged in, they are the practitioners of China’s Africa policy of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith.
As China approaches the center of the world stage, they are extending the olive branch of friendship to the African people and serving as a driving force behind Africa’s development and her dream of rejuvenation.
Fight against diseases
China is a friend indeed in Africa’s fight against diseases and disasters.
On Nov 26, China’s naval hospital ship Peace Ark completed its maiden voyage around Africa and departed from the port of Dar es Salaam, the economic capital of Tanzania in East Africa.
During its voyage that lasted nearly 100 days and covered 24,000 kilometers, the Peace Ark provided medical treatment, including 246 surgeries, for 52,000 people in Djibouti, Sierra Leone, Gabon, the Republic of Congo, Angola, Mozambique and Tanzania. To many Africans, the Peace Ark is both a “ship of hope” and “a ship of friendship”.
In mid-August, sustained torrential rains pounded Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone in West Africa, triggering landslides that claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people. Immediately, local Chinese businesses formed the first foreign rescue team that arrived at the scene. A group of Chinese military medical experts stationed in Sierra Leone followed quickly in rescue missions, providing treatment and taking preventive measures to cut off infectious diseases.
Peacekeeping
China is also Africa’s partner in maintaining peace and stability.
On Aug 1, Chinese troops formally entered the military support base in Djibouti, a country in the Horn of Africa. As China’s first overseas support base, it facilitates the Chinese military’s humanitarian aid and escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia.
In South Sudan, Mali and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chinese blue helmets
To African countries endeavoring to realize social and economic growth, China is also a partner that not only gives a fish, but also teaches one how to fish.
At the end of May, the Chinese-constructed railway connecting Kenya’s capital Nairobi and its eastern port city of Mombasa started operations.
The electrified railway that utilizes full Chinese standards has greatly facilitated the travel of Kenyans living along it, having already carried 600,000 passengers with an average attendance rate of about 95 percent.
On Nov 2, West Africa’s
treated on Peace Ark’s voyage