The opening ceremony of the seminar for parliamentarians from African countries was held: deepening the exchange of experience in governance and legislation

China News Service, Beijing, November 10 (Reporter Xie Yanbing) The opening ceremony of the seminar for members of parliament from African countries was held in Beijing on November 7. Parliamentarians from African countries participating in the meeting generally expressed their willingness to strengthen friendly exchanges with China's legislative bodies, deepen the exchange of experience in state governance and legislation, and help the construction of a China-Africa community with a shared future be deepened and solidified.

On the same day, Zheng Jianbang, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. He said that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Africa. The National People's Congress of China is willing to work with African parliaments and the Pan-African Parliament to deepen exchanges and mutual learning between legislative bodies, promote China-Africa's "Ten Partnership Actions", and provide legal and policy support for China-Africa pragmatic cooperation.

In September 2024, at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, China proposed that China and Africa should work together to promote the "six modernizations" and promote the implementation of the "Ten Partnership Actions". The African side responded enthusiastically.

"This seminar provides a good platform for African parliamentarians to further understand China and jointly explore new prospects for Africa-China cooperation." Abdelmalik Sharifi, a member of the Housing, Urban Planning and Urban Development Committee of the National Assembly of Algeria, said at the opening ceremony that this is a critical period for the development of Africa-China relations, and he looks forward to making good use of this seminar to learn from China's development experience and introduce Africa's development priorities to China.

João Ngagi, a member of the Eighth Committee of the National Assembly of Angola, also expressed the hope that this seminar can exchange experiences, enhance understanding, and explore new paths for cooperation between non-Chinese and non-Chinese legislative bodies. The seminar arranged visits to Shandong and Hunan. João Ngagi said he believed that this would be conducive to a better understanding of China's national conditions, development experience and the role of China's system in economic and social development. “We are willing to play our full role in promoting the development of Angola-China relations and the relations between African countries and China.”

Many members of parliament from African countries spoke highly of the achievements of Chinese-style modernization, believing that China's practical experience in poverty reduction, infrastructure construction and green development has provided important reference for African countries to explore modernization paths that suit their own national conditions. The parliamentarians said that the current relations between Africa and China are at the best period in history, and the results of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation are continuing to be transformed into visible and tangible benefits for the African people.

Ahmed Shabbir, a member of the Kenyan National Assembly, said that this year is the Year of People-to-People Exchanges between China and Africa. Starting from May 1 this year, China has fully implemented zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China. "This has opened the door to opportunities for us and will effectively drive the export of African agricultural products and handicrafts, help industrial development and increase people's income."

"As parliamentarians, we are the bridge between the government and the people, and we have the responsibility to promote the transformation of China-Africa's "Ten Partnership Actions" into tangible and lasting improvements in people's livelihood." Esther Ndapanda Kapanda, secretary-general of the National Assembly of Namibia, said, "Let us build bridges between legislative bodies to ensure that Africa-China cooperation is further deepened and creates a more prosperous future for future generations."

Cocu Kada Kadalan, a member of the Togolese National Assembly, said that this seminar also provides a multilateral platform for African countries to conduct consultations and coordinate legislative methods, which is conducive to accelerating the construction of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Parliamentarians from African countries participating in the meeting generally expressed that they look forward to taking this seminar as an opportunity to intensify exchanges and cooperation with Chinese legislative bodies, bring what they see and hear during this visit to China back to their countries, and contribute to promoting Africa-China friendship and practical cooperation in various fields. (over)