As China and Africa mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, Chairman of the Xi’an Think Tank for Sino-African Cooperation and Development, Héribert-Label Elisée Adjovi, has described the partnership as one of the most enduring and impactful examples of South-South cooperation in the modern era.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh
Speaking during an interview reflecting on the milestone year, Adjovi—who also chairs the African Journalists’ Caucus for the Global South Community Destiny—said contemporary China-Africa relations remain rooted in commitments forged at the 1955 Bandung Conference and within the Non-Aligned Movement, when China openly supported Africa’s struggle for independence and post-colonial development.
“Seventy years on, the record of Sino-African cooperation is impressive,” Adjovi said, noting that since the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in September 2024, relations have been elevated to the level of a strategic partnership.
Tangible Infrastructure Footprint
Adjovi pointed to visible and measurable outcomes across the continent, highlighting China’s role in transforming Africa’s infrastructure landscape on land, at sea, and in the air.
According to him, Chinese-backed cooperation has resulted in the construction of over 100,000 kilometers of roads, bridges, and interchanges, including the Godomey interchange, currently Benin’s only major interchange. Rail development includes more than 10,000 kilometers of railway lines, notably the iconic Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) line.
Maritime cooperation has seen the development of over 100 ports, while energy investments include at least 80 hydroelectric power stations across Africa. In aviation, China has helped build or modernize more than 100 airports, significantly improving regional and international connectivity.
Health, Education, and Agriculture
Beyond infrastructure, Adjovi highlighted China’s long-standing contribution to Africa’s social sectors. He disclosed that over the past 58 years, more than 23,000 Chinese medical professionals have served in Africa under the Chinese Medical Mission, providing treatment to an estimated 230 million patients.
Thousands of African students and professionals have also benefited from Chinese government scholarships, including civil servants and workers across multiple sectors.
In agriculture, Adjovi said China is supporting Africa’s shift from subsistence farming to mechanized agribusiness, enabling countries to process agricultural products locally for domestic consumption and export. He further noted that since January 1, 2025, China has exempted African agricultural exports from customs duties, a move he described as a major boost for African economies.
Cooperation Under Global Initiatives
Adjovi said China-Africa cooperation continues to deepen under Beijing’s Global Development Initiative, which he said promotes inclusive growth. Under the Global Security Initiative, African defense and public security forces receive training in China, alongside logistical and technical support, particularly in the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, and the Gulf of Guinea.
He also emphasized the importance of the Global Civilization Initiative, noting that 2026 has been designated the year of Sino-African human and cultural exchanges. According to Adjovi, collaboration between African and Chinese academics, cultural institutions, and media organizations has intensified, further strengthening people-to-people ties.
A Model for the World
Adjovi concluded that Sino-African cooperation stands as a benchmark for South-South cooperation and offers lessons for major global powers seeking to reshape their engagement with Africa.
“Ultimately, this partnership sets the standard,” he said. “It is a model not only for the Global South, but also for former colonial powers as they adapt their relations with Africa in a changing global order.”
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