On July 2, 2021, the online workshop on "China-South Africa Cooperation in Poverty Alleviation and Governance" was held successfully. It is co-organized by China-Africa Institute, South African National School of Government and University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences . Professor Zhou Yunfan, Vice President of CAI, presided over the workshop and delivered a welcome speech. Ms. Phindile Mkwanazi, CFO of the NSG, addressed a remark. Nearly 50 scholars and officials from CAI, NSG and South African government departments at all levels attended the workshop. This workshop is an important academic activity of the 2021 Seminar on Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development for South Africa (online) held by CAI and UCASS in June. The main venue of the workshop is located in Beijing.
Associate Prof. Liu Zhongwei
Four scholars from China and South Africa spoke in the keynote session. Associate Prof. Liu Zhongwei from CAI pointed out that the attention of the United States for Africa continued to decline after Obama left office. Although Biden increased his attention to African affairs after taking charge, his African policy lacked practical actions. In contrast, China-Africa cooperation in poverty reduction has huge cooperation space and is of more contemporary significance. The leadership of the CPC is the key factor for the success of poverty reduction in China. China actively conducts exchanges and mutual learning with Africa to promote the development of poverty alleviation in Africa.
Mr. Mduduzi Mbada
Mr. Mduduzi Mbada, Head of Policy, Gauteng Office of the Premier, first introduced Gauteng Province's economic status and development situation in South Africa. Then, He described the six pillar response plan to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, including comprehensive health response, food security and social relief, state capacity and adaptability, economic response, social mobilization and human solidarity, and law enforcement and compliance. Through rational planning and scientific guidance, Gauteng Province tries to build a more inclusive resilient economy while saving lives.
Dr. Zhao Yating
Dr. Zhao Yating from CAI talked about China’s Role in African development governance. She illustrated that by promoting "the governance of China", accelerating the co-construction of the BRI and Agenda 2063, and promoting global development governance transition will give Africa strong support from inside out, which is expected to break the theoretical paradigm, promote Africa to achieve inclusive growth and sustainable development, and build a closer community with a shared future for mankind.
Dr. Meng Jin
Dr. Meng Jin from CAI believed that China and Africa share a common vision on development issues. From the perspective of China's political development, she shared with the participants China's experience in three aspects: state-building, political party construction and national building. In the process of state-building, the Chinese government has always adhered to the principles and policies of people-centered philosophy and combined with Chinese reality. Attention need to be paid to the construction of political ideology, organizational system, and discipline in the construction of political parties. In the process of unifying national identity, the prosperity and development of socialist culture is promoted through ethnic and religious policies in line with China's national conditions.
Prof. Zhang Yongpeng
After the keynote session, South African participants exchanged and interacted with Prof. Zhang Yongpeng of CAI and other Chinese experts and scholars on South Africa's experience in dealing with pandemic and economic development, China's domestic construction before the reform and opening up, the unification and construction of China's governance system, the governance challenges faced by political parties and the building of a clean government.
Ms. Regina M Lesoma
After that, Ms. Regina M Lesoma, Member of Parliament & Whip of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service & Administration, RSA, spoke as the representative of the participants of the seminar. She pointed out that poverty is an important problem facing Africa. China has achieved great success in poverty reduction, giving people confidence. President Xi Jinping pointed out in his speech at the Ceremony Marking the Centenary of the Communist Party of China: "On this special occasion, it is my honor to declare on behalf of the Party and the people that through the continued efforts of the whole Party and the entire nation, we have realized the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. This means that we have brought about a historic resolution to the problem of absolute poverty in China, and we are now marching in confident strides toward the second centenary goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects. This is a great and glorious accomplishment for the Chinese nation, for the Chinese people, and for the Communist Party of China!" China's achievements in poverty alleviation have inspired other countries. South Africa has also made many achievements by formulating national development plans and implementing Agenda 2063. Through the study of this seminar, we have learned about various poverty reduction experiences, which will provide us with guidance and reference in practice. For me, I am deeply impressed by China's experience in promoting woman's poverty alleviation. In the future, we need to combine China's experience with Africa's reality and explore more effective ways to realize Africa's long-term development.
Prof. Zhou Yunfan
Prof. Zhou Yunfan elaborated at the welcome speech that in the past 2 weeks, Chinese scholars and experts have shared with you Chinese experience in poverty alleviation, economic development strategies, agricultural development, environmental protection and sustainable development, as well as the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Your active participation in the discussions on various topics and valuable feedback have inspired our enthusiasm in organizing such exchanges and dialogues. She also hoped the lectures and discussions are useful and can be of some help for the participants in the future.
Ms. Phindile Mkwanazi
In her speech, Ms. Phindile Mkwanazi, CFO of the NSG, said that poverty reduction is an important cause in South Africa, and it is necessary to unite all social forces to promote the prosperity and development of South Africa and ensure a better life for the citizens. The realization of this vision must win the trust of the people. South Africa has specially designed a national development plan for this purpose, and tried to eliminate extreme poverty and inequality by 2030. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a more capable government centered on the public interest. China’s tremendous achievements in poverty reduction are of reference significance and can strengthen exchanges and mutual learning with South Africa. She also expressed her gratitude to the CAI and the UCASS for organizing this seminar, and hoped all the participants will have rich gains.
At the end of the workshop, Prof. Zhou Yunfan made a concluding remarks on the seminar and the workshop. She pointed out that “No Poverty” is one of the major goals of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. For a long time, China has long committed itself to fighting poverty for the well-being of this population as well as enhancing global poverty eradication process. In 2020, China has scored a “complete victory” in its fight against poverty, which is inseparable from the strong leadership of the CPC. It is also a full and vivid expression of its people-centered philosophy and the CPC’s mission of serving the people wholeheartedly. Under the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, the surge of poverty caused by economic decline posed an even more severe threat to their endeavors to achieve a comprehensive and inclusive development. Solidarity and cooperation is crucial to overcoming the difficulties. Poverty alleviation engages various partners, of which think tanks have an important role to play. The CAI and other research and teaching institutions under the CASS are willing to continue the dialogue with African partners in the fields of common concern and interest.