SESSION 1: China in Africa Ground-level perspectives, impacts of media's local to global engagements

Описание: China in Africa Ground-level perspectives, impacts of media's local to global engagements, moderated by Dr Bob Wekesa

The first session received remarks from the Consul General of China South Africa, Pan Qingjiang, on South Africa-China Relations: Local Engagements, Impacts and Developments in Society & Access of Local Media. Consul Qingjiang reflected on the importance of this year, marking the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa, and with the relations entering a "golden era" of more opportunities as well as more responsibilities. Adding that "China-South Africa friendship has defied the obstacles of mountains and oceans".

The Consul reflected on the role of South Africa, having maintained strategic mutual trust with China, saying that the two countries "give each other firm support on issues involving our respective core interests and major concerns, and maintain coordination on major international and regional issues".

South Africa was the first African country to sign the Belt and Road cooperation document with China and has been China's biggest trading partner in Africa over the past 14 years, and one of the African countries with the largest stock of Chinese investment.

The Consulate reflected on all the community engagements undertaken by the Consulate General office within communities in Gauteng and in the Free State province. The Consulate added that looking ahead, China would continue its work with South Africa and take the bilateral relations to a new level. "We will make even greater progress in the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era as well as the building of a community with a shared future for mankind," he said.

Consul Qingjian recognized the important role of the media and academia, saying "You are playing a crucial role in fostering and enhancing this relationship. We value and appreciate your hard work in both coverage and research about China and China-South Africa-China-Africa relations. We are willing to maintain close connection and interaction with you all and to help facilitate your access to relevant information and ideas".

The first session further received remarks from Bongiwe Tutu, Project Coordinator to the Wits Africa-China Reporting Project, who reflected on the Importance of Capacity Building in Africa's Media Space. In her presentation, Tutu reflected on the growth of the African continent, which is becoming more robust within its engagements within the global economy. This is while numerous reports in the media are preempting Africa is the future, more specifically how the continent will be at the centre of the world’s urban future. Projections hold that by 2050 Africa’s population of 1.4 billion will have doubled, noting further the youth bulge that will be seen vastly in the continent (World Bank, 2018).

The third presentation to the first session was by Justus Wanzala, Africa Editor of the China Dialogue Trust. Wanzala presented on China-Africa relations: Representations and Perspectives in the Media.