Strengthen China-Africa ties in advancing indigenous way to modernization

The need for modernization in China and Africa cannot be understated, but it would be fallacy to try driving it in the precepts of the West. Since 1949, since the People’s Republic of China was born, ushered in by the legendary Chairman Mao Zedong, the country has been on a solitary journey of modernization that has been characterized by fierce resistance from the West.

And Chinese President Xi Jinping’s stance on modernization is inspirational for any Chinese or African who cares about their land’s own modernization.

During the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) that was held last September, President Xi said: “Modernization is an inalienable right of all countries”.

“Since the end of World War II, Third World nations, represented by China and Africa countries, have achieved independence and development one after another, and have been endeavoring to redress the historical injustices of the modernization process. As we are about to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, we are going all out to build a great modern socialist country in all respects and pursue national rejuvenation through a Chinese path to modernization. Africa is also awakening again, and the continent is marching in solid strides toward the modernization goals set forth in the AU’s Agenda 2063. China and Africa’s joint pursuit of modernization will set off a wave of modernization in the Global South, and open a new chapter in our drive for a community with a shared future for mankind.” he went on to point out.

What is presented in this profound statement challenges the traditional modernization theory that is predominantly focused on the West and Western parameters. That is, for everyone to be termed “developed”, they must fit into that same model despite the differences in culture and other variables. In contrast, a more compelling and evidence-backed alternative is proposed, exemplified by China’s own modernization journey. Instead of grovelling for the endorsement and approval by the West, China and Africa must focus on themselves and their own conditions to foster modernization.

China and most of Africa share a history of marginalization with the majority of their citizens living in abject poverty. Access to electricity, for instance, was a luxury in China around 40 years ago. But now 100% of the population has access to electricity.

Simply put, this proves that China and Africa have the capacity to drive their own modernization and better still, on their own terms and parameters. In fact, they are better off following this path, the one that has been tried and tested by China over the last 76 years.

The first step for most countries would be putting their countries and citizens first in all circumstances, followed by an intentional decision to act in the best interest of the country. This way, even the smallest decisions and gestures will go a long way because of the buy-in of the masses. China has done this on many fronts. Think of the green revolution that set on a path to balancing economic development with environmental protection. And now China is on a path to plant and conserve 70 billion trees by 2030. Today cutting down trees is punishable by heavy, deterrent fines. How is this connected to modernization? All 1, 4 billion Chinese citizens have access to electricity or alternative energy and they don’t have to use firewood. Essentially, the outcomes of China's energy transition have laid a solid foundation for its modernization.

Modernization of societies and systems for the betterment of citizens’ lives is the uniform aspiration of China and Africa and the former has led the way in proving that it can be achieved using other standards and not those imposed by the West. Today China is first in many respects including launching some of the fastest trains with a majestic speed of 450 kilometers per hour. Traditionally, the so-called third-world countries served as producers of cheap labor and cheap natural resources which were plundered at an industrial scale. Unfortunately for the first world, the fact that development has started in several third-world countries means that they will no longer depend on such developed countries, particularly those in the West, for their own development. Relying on the West to pace and sponsor our development means we will only develop on their terms. And there are no prices for predicting that the development, if any, would be staggered, stunted or both.

It is compelling and resonant that China has proposed the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, a departure from the norm of the haves and the have-nots as preferred by our erstwhile masters. It is therefore imperative for other smaller economies in the Global South to heed the call for partnership at different levels with China, a country that has weathered many of those storms.

All things considered, China presents an important developmental partner for Global South countries because it has successfully walked the path from marginalization to become a powerhouse whose voice cannot be ignored in international fora. Similarly, solidarity and unity with China will enable the rest of the developing countries to be heard while at the same time uplifting the lives of their citizens.

Just as China has achieved with meritocracy, which has resulted in robust leadership, the rest of the Global South should employ similar strategies to get the best into public offices who will serve ethically, honestly and patriotically, understanding that the goal is putting the country and its people first before the self. It is such robust leadership that has enabled China to be future-focused instead of a hangover on historical positions of disadvantage or misfortune. China does cherish and respect its history, but the focus is poignantly on the future. They plan for future centuries and present actions were decided a long time ago. Office bearers tow that line like blinkered horses without deviation, and they are poised to start from a position of advantage and privilege as a nation and not just a few elite families. China here provides a good reference for countries like ours.

China has therefore set an example that can be emulated by her Global South peers to achieve modernization, and it is in their best interest to unite with a country that has largely weathered the storms.

Contributed by Silence Charumbira, Managing Editor at Africa News 24