Written by Wu Yue
According to a recent Xinhua News Agency report, ambassadors from multiple countries to Zimbabwe recently visited the Kariba South Bank Hydropower Station expansion project site, about 350 kilometers from the capital Harare. They praised the 'Chinese speed' and 'Chinese quality' demonstrated by the project and expressed hope to strengthen cooperation with China in energy and infrastructure. Seeing this project undertaken by a Chinese enterprise that combines speed and quality, Malawi's Ambassador to Zimbabwe Kumpolwe, Kenya's Ambassador to Zimbabwe Chelimo, DRC's Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mawampanga, Namibia's Ambassador to Zimbabwe Pienaar, and others unanimously expressed to Chinese reporters their urgent desire for infrastructure construction cooperation with China. Therefore, going to Africa is indeed a good opportunity for Chinese construction and engineering machinery manufacturing enterprises. First, Africa is a treasure trove of resources awaiting further development
Africa is located in the southwest of the Eastern Hemisphere, with an area of about 30.2 million square kilometers, accounting for about 20.2% of the world's total land area, making it the second largest continent. It has a population of over 800 million, 13.5% of the world's total, second only to Asia. Africa is also the region with the most complex ethnic composition in the world. Most ethnic groups in Africa are black, with the rest being white and yellow. Africa is rich in natural resources, with extensive mineral reserves, many ranking among the world's top. Forests, grasslands, wildlife, and water resources are also abundant. Due to underdevelopment, Africa's infrastructure is relatively backward and still in need of accelerated construction. Second, China-Africa infrastructure relations have a solid foundation
Many African countries have friendly traditional ties with China. China assisted countries like Tanzania in various constructions as early as the last century. Africa is China's second-largest market for overseas contracted projects and an important market for outbound investment. In recent years, China-Africa infrastructure cooperation has developed rapidly. In 2012, China and Africa established an infrastructure construction partnership. In 2014, Premier Li Keqiang proposed the 'Three Networks and Industrialization' plan with Africa (building Africa's high-speed railway, highway, and regional aviation 'three major networks' and infrastructure industrialization). In 2015, President Xi Jinping proposed the China-Africa infrastructure cooperation plan, strengthening cooperation in infrastructure planning and construction. In 2014, Chinese enterprises completed contracted project turnover of $53 billion in Africa, accounting for nearly 40% of total overseas turnover, more than 40 times that of 2000. In the first quarter of 2015, new contracts for Chinese engineering projects in Africa amounted to $23.1 billion, a year-on-year increase of 49%, with the African market accounting for more than half of new overseas engineering contracts. Currently, a new round of infrastructure construction boom has started in Africa, bringing new market opportunities for China's overseas contracted engineering industry. Third, recognition of our projects and desire to cooperate with Chinese enterprises
China's aid projects and overseas contracted projects have gained good reputation in host countries, established brand image, and forged deep friendships. The same is true for various constructions in Africa. As mentioned at the beginning, the Kariba South Bank Hydropower Station expansion project built by a Chinese enterprise about 350 kilometers from Harare, Zimbabwe, had already received high appreciation from visiting African ambassadors when 85% of the project was completed, and they look forward to Chinese enterprises cooperating in infrastructure construction in their countries. Malawi's Ambassador to Zimbabwe Kumpolwe said Malawi eagerly hopes to cooperate with Chinese enterprises to advance its power infrastructure. 'Power shortages severely affect Malawi's economic development and people's lives,' Kumpolwe said. 'Malawi has abundant hydropower resources, but weak infrastructure capacity. We hope to start hydropower cooperation with Chinese enterprises as soon as possible.' Kenya's Ambassador to Zimbabwe Chelimo said: 'China is an important partner for Kenya and has built our first standard gauge railway (Mombasa-Nairobi Railway). China not only 'gives fish' but also 'teaches how to fish'.' This fully expresses their genuine desire to cooperate with Chinese enterprises. Leverage the 'Belt and Road' to enter Africa, where favorable conditions of timing, geography, and harmony prevail. Africa is calling for Chinese enterprises. By entering Africa, Chinese construction and engineering machinery manufacturing companies step onto a new platform for full play and embrace new fields and opportunities in their internationalization journey!