(Source: wwww.people.com.cn - People's Daily)
When Western media regarded Africa as "failed continent", Chinese companies did not give up on this passionate land. Now when Westerners have begun to acclaim Africa as the "continent of hope", Chinese businesses are still there working quietly for traditional friendship and practical cooperation between China and Africa.
Chinais Africa's largest trading partner, which would have been impossible without the diligent contribution of Chinese enterprises. In Africa, what I hear most from African friends is approval and acclamation.
In East Africa, Tanzanian friends often talk about the successful bid of Sichuan Hongda Corporation for the Mchuchuma-Liganga coal-power-iron ore integration project. Why did a private Chinese company dare to challenge world-renowned companies such as Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and AES (US) and win out? The answer from Hongda workers and staff is clear-cut: The key to the project is the technology to explore vanadium-titanium magnetite and it is known to all that the best technology is with Hongda.
In West Africa, stories about China Road and Bridge Corporation (RB)are often on the lips of Togo friends. The floods in 2008 destroyed many bridges on the trunk road linking the country's south and north. Staff of RB quickly came to the rescue. Actually, after the disaster struck, Togo first sought help from France. However, following an on-the-spot survey the French side felt that it was beyond its ability. At this critical juncture, President Faure asked China in person for help. RB overcame untold difficulties and restored the road the following year. News about this great help from Chinese friends was spread widely in Togo and people were moved by the sincerity of Chinese workers.
The confidence and sincerity of Chinese workers have also been fully displayed in helping Africa bridging the digital gap. Over half of Africa's telecommunications equipments are from Chinese companies. Chinese companies such as Huawei, ZTE, and Startimes help train nearly 10,000 engineers and tens of thousands of technicians every year.
Chinahas always considered Africa a continent of hope and the African people our close friends and cooperation partners. Admittedly, turmoil and war in some parts of Africa and harsh natural conditions and infectious diseases in others have made it rather difficult for Chinese companies to carry out their work. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, despite war in the east and the Ebola virus, Huawei has set up a wireless station, demonstrating their courage and determination to help Africa bridge the digital gap.
Zhong Jianhua, China's special envoy on African affairs, once said Westerners are trying either to conquer or to redeem Africa. However, since Navigator Zhenghe's voyage to the Western Seas, the Chinese have always got along with African people on friendly and equal terms while seeking sincere cooperation. In recent years,Chinese companies have been helping Africa overcome the digital gap and have won their trust through competence and sincerity, thus writing a new and splendid chapter of China-Africa traditional friendship in the information era.
