Members of a Chinese medical team pose for a photo upon their arrival at the airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 16, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Shoubao)
Chinese support to Africa's efforts against COVID-19 displays China's continued solidarity with Africa, and the long-standing China-Africa ties would continue further, says African Union Commission Deputy Chairperson Kwesi Quartey.
ADDIS ABABA, May 27 (Xinhua) -- The long-standing relations between China and Africa would continue further as Africa sees China as a strategic partner that shares similar historical background and common interests, said the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Kwesi Quartey.
The deputy chairperson made the remarks on Tuesday during the handing over ceremony of China's donations of medical supplies to the AU, displaying its continued solidarity and support to the continent's battle against COVID-19.
Amid the spread of the coronavirus in Africa, the Chinese government and companies have been expressing their solidarity and support to Africans in the fight against the pandemic, by continually donating medical equipment and supplies that are badly needed on the continent.
Recalling that China and Africa had the experiences of foreign aggression and also share similar common goal of development, Quartey said China's peaceful rise is a good lesson to Africa and also to the rest of the world.
Reiterating that the building of AU headquarters is among the demonstrations of the relations forged between China and Africa, he has also commended China for its continued support, at different circumstances, to Africa, including this time of the pandemic.
An airport worker pulls a consignment of medical equipment donation for COVID-19 donated by the Jack Ma and Alibaba foundations, at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, March 24, 2020. (Xinhua/John Okoyo)
Speaking of the lessons that the world should take from the pandemic, Kwesi has underlined the need to strengthen health systems and also have strengthened solidarity and cooperation among nations, countries, and continents, among others, to deal with such crisis.
"Pandemics will come, but together with the development of science and technology, development of social engineering… and recognition of each others' interest, strategic interests, together we have a world which is peaceful, which supports multilateralism, which respects the sovereign interest of each other," said Kwesi.
Liu Yuxi, head of the Chinese Mission to the AU, said the Chinese would never forget that Africans have been with China as the country was hit hardest by and struggling with the virus, demonstrating the strong relations between the two sides.
In addition to the donation of medical supplies, Liu said China has been supporting African countries by sharing experiences and sending medical teams to Africa.
He has also expressed his firm belief that China and Africa would further exert joint efforts to defeat the pandemic. ■
