Lecture by His Excellency Ambassador Zhong Jianhua of the People's Republic of China at St. Alban's College, Pretoria
2010-07-28
Headmaster of St. Alban's College, Mr. Tom Hamilton,
Teachers and Staff,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
And, above all,
Dear Boys,
It is a great honor to be with you today. This July is a special and unique month for South Africa. Soccer World Cup was successfully concluded and the first Nelson Mandela Day was celebrated worldwide. Standing in the center of the global stage, South African people has manifested achievements of the past 16 years as a rainbow nation to the people in the world.
Most of you were born after the founding of the New South Africa in 1994. Growing up as a generation of conciliation and unity, you have the proud chance of witnessing the all-round progress of this beautiful country. And by being educated in this prestigious college, you are well placed to become the future elites of the society. I hope my exchange with you this evening could contribute to your understanding of China and her long-lasting friendship with Africa.
I am glad to know that in two months ago, St. Alban's College successfully hosted the "Chinese-Bridge" language contest. And together with the fact you are among the first South African colleges to introduce the Chinese language course, this shows an ever-increasing tendency for the students here to know more about Chinese culture and people.
Some of you are interested in Chinese Kung-fu, some of you are fond of Chinese cuisine, and some of you are amazed by Chinese landscape. Based on my 3-year experience as Ambassador in South Africa, I have found a lot in common between our two countries. I would like to take this occasion to share my views with you. It may be useful for your understanding about China.
First, like the rainbow nation of South Africa, China is a country in diversity. There are 11 official languages in South Africa and each province has its own characteristics. Similarly, Chinese people are composed by 56 ethnicities and they have lived in peace with each other since several hundred years ago. The ethic behind this lies deep in the rich Confucian thinking which promotes harmony and unity among people.
Second, China is a developing country. With more than 1.3 billion people, China's GDP per capita is about 3400 US dollars, well behind South Africa. According to the criteria by United Nation, there are still 150 million Chinese people in poverty, which amounts to the population of three South Africa. Many Chinese young people at your age, especially those living in the rural area, could not afford to attend secondary school, let alone have the chance to go to university.
Third, China is a country promoting peace and civilization. This inclination has its root in the Chinese culture. You have been familiar with Kung-fu. It was largely practiced for defence and helping the vulnerable rather than aggressive showing-off and assault. China is a responsible country and has always been endeavoring to contribute to the world peace and stability. It is exact in this sprit that China and South Africa share many consensus in their destiny. Since the inception of diplomatic relations in 1998, our two countries have maintained very good cooperation in African and global issues. Our people to people exchanges have also been intensifying, which culminate on occasions of both Soccer World Cup and Shanghai Expo.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Boys,
Let me tell a true story. In 1963, the same year when St. Alban's College came into existence, the late Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai paid his first visit to the African continent. During the 3-month long visit, he touched the soil of 10 countries and advanced for the first time the principles for Chinese aid towards Africa. The centerpiece of these principles is to help African countries to win freedom and fight against the legacy of colonialism. Premier Zhou even risked his life to visit Ghana when there was a coup d'état and showed firm support of the Chinese people to the Ghanaian people in their just pursuit of freedom and liberation. Bear in mind that this was an era when most African countries had barely earned their independence and were eager in anticipation of exterior support by all means.
Not long after this visit and under the guidelines of above aid principles, the Chinese government decided to help two African countries, Tanzania and Zambia, to build a transnational railway project. The TAZARA Railway, which was also called Freedom Railway in Swahili, cost five years to complete. 60, 000 Chinese technicians and workers, working hand in hand with nearly the same number of African brothers, had overcome all natural and economic difficulties to accomplish this seemingly impossible mission. It was the largest foreign aid project China has ever undertaken. The railway extends 1,860 kilometers and links the landlocked copper mines in Zambia with the sea port in Tanzania. Its completion therefore enabled the two newly-born African countries to earn much-needed foreign exchange and embark on their economic and social development process.
For the construction of this railway, the Chinese government and people had provided aid valued 500 million US dollars. And most importantly, more than 60 Chinese workers sacrificed their lives and were laid at rest eternally in the soil of this continent. It is also of significance to note that the African proposal to build this railway was previously turned down by several Western countries. And the unselfish assistance was given during the time when China itself faced acute shortage in resources and its poverty problem not yet addressed.
What is the implication of the above story to South Africa? Well, as you have learned in the history course, the Rivonia Trial in 1964 put Mandela for a life sentence and ANC had been effectively banned in the country. The exiles led by Oliver Tambo had to go to Zambia to set up the ANC headquarter and from Lusaka, directed and mobilized the anti-Apartheid movement. It was under the auspices of the brother African countries like Zambia and Tanzania that ANC had managed to continue its liberation struggle. In this light, the broad meaning of the TAZARA Railway becomes clear. By its effort to support South Africa's neighboring African countries to build infrastructure capacity and develop economy, China facilitated the anti-Apartheid struggle of the ANC. Without TAZARA Railway, ANC would have received much less support than it could. Not to further mention that material donations and weapons for the liberation struggle were largely transported using this railway.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Boys,
There has been a saying that China suddenly came to Africa in recent days and repeated what some western countries had done several hundred years before. This is simply absurd. I want to emphasize the fact that China and Africa have been friends for long. Our first contact and exchange began 600 years ago when the Ming Dynasty emissary Zhenghe led a flotilla to Africa to promote trade and friendship. This trip took place much earlier than the colonialists arrived in Africa, and in stark comparison, the Chinese people never grabbed one inch of land and took one single slave. During the years after the collapse of colonial rule in 1960s, our traditional friendship fostered by leaders like Zhou Enlai has been consistently cemented and endured all sorts of challenges. It managed to prosper in the new era.
Why Chinese people always feel kind and grateful towards African people? Because China has been receiving generous support from Africa all the time, for example, China's legitimate resumption of its membership in the family of United Nation in 1971 was most attributed to the votes of African countries. Every Chinese student has been taught in the school to remember this, and show goodwill to the African people in return. China's presence in Africa today is therefore to continue what the TAZARA Railway workers have done 40 years before, that is, to seek common development and help Africa address its poverty and realize full development potential.
I notice that some of you are today wearing clothes made in China, using the stationery made in China. Even the Ipod you are listening to, the Laptop you are carrying, and the Playstation 3 you are playing with, although they are brands of Japan and America, are manufactured in China. Are the Chinese products good to Africa? I heard different opinions from different people. Not to my surprise, most African people agreed that Chinese products provide more options for the consumers and are both affordable and reliable.
Imagine a school boy in Soweto who once could not afford to buy a proper school uniform, could finally obtain one within the family budget. Imagine the ordinary people living around the Soccer City Stadium who could at last bought a cheap Vuvuzela and blew it proudly for the Bafana Bafana. These are the tangible benefits the Chinese products have brought. By bringing down the price, "made in China" has increased the purchase power of the Africans and therefore enhances their living standards. Furthermore, Chinese investment helps to create jobs and bring skills. We have seen more and more South African citizens being employed in these local Chinese enterprises.
Another saying which totally misunderstands the China-Africa cooperation is to criticize China for only buying commodities and raw materials in Africa. The truth is that China's participation in the purchase for the African goods again provides more choices for Africa. It's simply like what you have always done in the internet by buying things from EBAY. As you know, the more bidders that take part in, the higher price the seller could achieve. The ultimate beneficiary for this bidding competition will be the African people. And nowadays China has continued to expand its import from Africa. For instance, South African products like wine, fruit and food are becoming quite popular in China.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Boys,
I trust the longer you interact with the Chinese people, the more you understand about China. The same applies to the Chinese youth, who eagerly want to find out more about South Africa and Africa. In the 21st Century, the world is becoming much "flat", and you are much better positioned than others to build contact and enhance understanding.
Future belongs to the youth. In this sense, dear boys, we are all Ambassadors. Thank you for your interests in my country. I welcome you to visit China and visit more often. You will get to know lot's of friends there. New web communication techniques shall further your amity. The friendship born out of your generation echoes well the enduring relationship started by Premier Zhou Enlai and his fellow African leaders decades ago. It surely bode well for both China and Africa in the future.
Thank you. I would like now to listen to your opinions and answer questions.
