China's experience helps Africa

Peacekeeping

China is also Africa's partner in maintaining peace and stability.

On Aug 1, Chinese troops formally entered the military support base in Djibouti, a country in the Horn of Africa. As China's first overseas support base, it facilitates the Chinese military's humanitarian aid and escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia.

In South Sudan, Mali and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chinese blue helmets are among the most welcome. Besides fulfilling their missions mandated by the United Nations, they are also doing their best to help local residents solve problems.

"China, good!" the Chinese peacekeepers are often greeted with such kind remarks by the local people.

Construction

To African countries endeavoring to realize social and economic growth, China is also a partner that not only gives a fish, but also teaches one how to fish.

At the end of May, the Chinese-constructed railway connecting Kenya's capital Nairobi and its eastern port city of Mombasa started operations.

The electrified railway that utilizes full Chinese standards has greatly facilitated the travel of Kenyans living along it, having already carried 600,000 passengers with an average attendance rate of about 95 percent.

On Nov 2, West Africa's largest hydropower dam was inaugurated in Soubre, Cote d'Ivoire.

The Chinese-built power station sitting astride the Sassandra Rriver is a flagship project of the China-Africa infrastructure and industrial capacity cooperation. It serves to alleviate local power shortages and help create lots of jobs.

Speaking at the 29th African Union summit in July, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed called on African countries to harness the historic opportunity offered in China's Belt and Road Initiative so as to push forward the integration process of the African continent.

Ethiopia, which is churning out a miracle of economic growth on the African continent, has often been regarded as following a development path similar with that of China.

Some other African countries, including Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and Angola, are also increasingly turning their eyes to China. The African countries that study and learn from the "Chinese path" have generally done better in terms of economic growth than other African countries, says a Financial Times report.