Special representative feels ‘sentimental attachment’

Envoy expects pace of industrial, agricultural growth to increase

In her nearly 40-year diplomatic career, Xu Jinghu, China’s special representative on African affairs, spent 37 years dealing with relations between China and Africa.

The veteran diplomat, 64, has visited 49 African countries since she started working on the diplomatic front in 1979. Most notably, she worked at China’s embassy in Gabon as a secretary and served as Chinese ambassador to Madagascar and Morocco.

“I have a special sentimental attachment to Africa because of my close connections with African friends,” Xu told China Daily. She said she has witnessed the development of China-Africa relations, which have marched forward with the times.

The China-Africa relationship, based on equality and mutual benefit, has seen profound changes as cooperation has developed across the board, and the traditional friendship remains unchanged, she said.

“We have always understood and supported each other on major issues and international affairs, particularly issues related to our respective core interests and major concerns,” Xu said.

The friendship between China and Africa, forged through common historical experience and common struggles, is the historical foundation for the building of a stronger community with a shared future, she added.

Because of her long-term work in Africa, she was often called “Mrs Africa” by her African friends, Xu said. “At that time, I felt sentimentally close to them because they treated me as one of them. And I’m proud I can do something for them.”

Hailing the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation as a “dynamic, substantial and effective” mechanism for consultations and cooperation, Xu said it has greatly promoted the development of China-Africa relations since its establishment in 2000.

“The past 18 years have seen the China-Africa partnership transformed — from being driven by governments to being marketoriented, from a focus on commodity trade to production capacity cooperation, and from contracted projects to investment and operations,” she said.

Talking with her African friends, Xu said, she has often been told that China honors its commitment to Africa. “They said China always translates its commitments into action, which in turn brings about tangible benefits.”

The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative aims to achieve policy, infrastructure, trade, financial and peopleto-people connectivity and to build a new platform for international cooperation. Xu said the initiative has won strong support from African countries because it provides solutions to the difficulties the continent is facing and creates synergies with their development strategies.

In the long term, China-Africa cooperation will step up the pace of industrial and agricultural modernization on the continent, Xu said.

“I really hope China-Africa cooperation will deliver more substantial benefits to the two peoples,” Xu said, adding that she wants to see the continent develop independently and sustainably.

I really hope China-Africa cooperation will deliver more substantial benefits to the two peoples.”

Xu Jinghu, China’s special representative on African affairs