Experts Pleased Over China’s ‘Five-Nos’ Approach to Africa

Zambian economists have expressed gratification at China's "five-nos" approach in its relationship with African countries. Lubinda Haabazoka, president of the Economics Association of Zambia, said it is delightful that China, unlike the United States and Europe, has refrained from imposing its will on and interfering in African countries' internal affairs while engaging with the continent.

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“And for that we say 'thank you' for this type of relationship,” Haabazoka said according to Xinhua.

Haabazoka pointed out that China had not made any comments to influence election outcomes in African countries and that support afforded by the Asian giant doesn't come with the all too familiar political and economic strings.

“China also wants to ensure that Africa does not lag behind in terms of standards in the area of green technologies hence the green initiative," he added.

"It also recognizes the importance of health … China is not only perfecting its health systems, but also ensuring the health care systems of its partners in Africa are enhanced so that there is that consistency and ability to do trade.”

China's “five-nos” approach involves: no interference in African countries’ pursuit of development paths congruent with their national conditions and agenda; no interference in African countries’ internal affairs; no imposition of China’s will on African countries; no attachment of political strings in China's mutual, win-win assistance to African countries; and no seeking of selfish political gains in investment and financing cooperation with African countries.

Rose Fumpa-Makano, a professor at the Dag Hammanskjold Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies at the Copperbelt University, commended China's economic and political engagement with Zambia, such as the Tanzania-Zambia Railway line.

The international policy analyst also praised the establishment of the Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia as a means to enhance people-to-people exchange, according to CGTN.

“We should embrace intercultural exchange programs. It therefore would be a good idea to embrace the Chinese language just as well as we have embraced the English language so as to fully utilize opportunities that would demand one to have a good command of the Chinese language,” Fumpa-Makano explained.

Earlier this month, African leaders from every country on the continent, except for Swaziland, attended the 2018 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac) in Beijing. During the event, Chinese President Xi Jinping promised US$60 billion to the continent in grants, development financing and loans. He went on to announce eight initiatives aimed at improving Sino-Africa relations, including investments in education,
healthcare, cultural exchanges, as well as increasing non-resource imports from Africa.