BISHKEK, June 19 (Xinhua) -- The Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19 has become one more platform for China-Africa cooperation, Sheradil Baktygulov, an independent political analyst told Xinhua.
An African proverb says: "A river runs deep because of its source." The extraordinary China-Africa summit held on Wednesday was a good confirmation of the fact that China-Africa friendship has long-standing roots, Baktygulov said.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and other leaders of the first generation of China, along with African leaders, laid the foundations for China-Africa cooperation, he said.
Since then, the Chinese and African people have supported each other in the struggle against colonialism and imperialism, as well as in their friendship and ties, the analyst said.
Today, China and Africa are the fastest growing regions in the world. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, a bi-annual gathering, has been successful, and a new type of strategic partnership has been established, he said.
The trade turnover between China and Africa exceeded 200 billion U.S. dollars in 2019. Over the past 50 years, China has sent more than 21,000 medical workers to provide medical aid in Africa.
Talking about the importance of the extraordinary summit, Baktygulov said that one should single out the remarks of Chinese President Xi Jinping who called on both sides to stay committed to fighting COVID-19 together, saying that China will continue to do whatever it can to support Africa's response.
This year, China will start ahead of schedule the construction of the headquarters of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
China and Africa are united by a common historical past, common development goals and strategic interests, he said.
The end of the epidemic will see stronger China-Africa relations and new platforms and mechanisms for cooperation, Baktygulov added. Enditem
