Inaugural Africa-China people-to-people dialogue held in Zambia

LUSAKA, May 9 (Xinhua) -- The inaugural Africa-China People-to-People Dialogue was held in Zambia aimed at promoting interaction between the people of both sides.

Organized by the Economic, Social and Cultural Council, an advisory organ of the African Union (AU) in collaboration with China NGO Network for International Exchanges (CNIE), the two-day dialogue brought together civil society organizations from Africa and China as well as the business community and academia to foster friendship, cultural exchange and sustainable development.

The platform was also meant to promote participatory dialogue, collaboration and knowledge sharing between communities as part of efforts to build a more people-centered Africa-China partnership.

Zambian Vice President Mutale Nalumango, in remarks delivered at the start of the dialogue, said Africa-China cooperation is not about speed but about sustainability, solidarity and shared success.

"As you may be aware, people-to-people dialogue is more sustainable than anything else. We need to feel the heart beats of each other," she said.

Selma Malika Haddadi, deputy chairperson of the AU Commission, said the dialogue was a testament to the enduring bonds between Africa and China forged through a longstanding multifaceted partnership.

He said Africa and China share a history of mutual respect, solidarity, and collaboration anchored on the principles of equality, solidarity and shared prosperity as well as a common vision for a more just and better global order.

"When African and Chinese civil societies come together, they unleash a powerful force for transformative change. By uniting grassroots organizations, youth movements, cultural leaders, incubators, innovators as well as academia, we cultivate deeper mutual understanding and co-created solutions to shared challenges, from climate resilience to digital inclusion," he said.

CNIE Vice President Li Jun applauded the deepening friendship between Africa and China and called for joint efforts in defending the rights of developing countries, promoting inclusive governance as well as advocating for platforms like the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to ensure more connection. ■