No Result
View All Result
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Careers
en English
en Englishfr Français
Support Us
Mimi Mefo Info
  • Cameroon
  • Africa
  • Politics
  • Society
  • Business
  • Education
  • Tech
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Editor’s Picks
  • Sport
  • Cameroon
  • Africa
  • Politics
  • Society
  • Business
  • Education
  • Tech
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Editor’s Picks
  • Sport
No Result
View All Result
Mimi Mefo Info
English | Français
No Result
View All Result

Covid-19: When true friendship matters most

Mimi Mefo Info by Mimi Mefo Info
May 29, 2020
Reading Time: 3 mins read
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Because of the long years of their tireless friendship and cooperation, it was unthinkable for China not to do something about Africa’s pre- and post-COVID-19 dire situation. History beckons us to the facts of this win-win friendship that is bound to grow, Kimeng Hilton NDUKONG writes in this opinion piece.

It is not uncommon to hear some people say that China’s new-found economic prosperity is the only raison d’être of its close ties with Africa. To such people, Beijing is only interested in Africa because of the latter’s abundant natural resources that serve its huge industrial base. Such thinking is not quite true! For, Africa and China, have come a long way. Very long way indeed.
It all began way back before pre-colonial Africa times. And continued when China was just an “ordinary” nation – very much at the same level of economic standing and development like most of post-independence Africa. After the Chinese Civil War in 1949, the triumphant leaders at the helm of the newly-founded People’s Republic of China, PRC, began seeking the country’s admission into the comity of nations – the United Nations Organisation. But the West strongly resisted the move, having backed the losing side in the civil war under the defunct Republic of China, ROC.
Thanks to the vote of African nations, the People’s Republic of China was on October 25, 1971 finally admitted into the UN as a member State. And Beijing was grateful for Africa’s support. At the time that it mattered most. Similarly, Africa’s liberation struggle found favour with the Chinese. Just like it did with the defunct Soviet Union, Eastern European states, Cuba … This invaluable support – in terms of financing, training, equipment and logistics, etc, to a large extent, accounts for the independence today of African nations like Mozambique, Angola, Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde, Zimbabwe, Namibia….
In the area of economic fillip, China’s Opening Up Policy, which has seen the country metamorphose from a poor agrarian economy to the world’s second largest economy – after the United States of America – has never ceased being a shining example to Africa. And the rest of the world.

That, with determination, hard work, focus, purposeful leadership, good sense of direction, the people’s backing… any nation can also change its fortunes. Literally, within the twinkle of an eye!
From China’s new-found wealth and prosperity, Africa has also been a partaker. And no mean one at that. The most recent cases in point are the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, FOCAC summits, during which China doles out whooping amounts to boost the continent’s all-round development. Promises, which are often kept – within their promised timeframes.

Such has been the relationship between Africa and China for decades today. With China providing a much-needed alternative to Bretton Woods institutions to which the continent had been tethered ever since independence. Today, Africa has another financial partner substitute in the “person” of China. Much to the chagrin of some. Thus the overbeaten complaint of “Africa’s indebtedness to China is unsustainable!” While debts must be contracted with much care – and caution – the same complaint hardly arises when African nations collect Western loans!

Take infrastructure development, for example. Hardly will you find any African country where the Chinese have not constructed such. And take away the “gift” projects, Chinese still compete and win most construction contracts on the continent. And generally carry out their tasks well – if there is no third party meddling that often compromises the quality of work at the end.

Today, and before us all, stands an unprecedented challenge- the Coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic. Which China decisively and fairly promptly checkmated. The disease’s trail of all-round destruction across the globe is all too evident even to the man in street. Or what is known in the French language as “lamnda” citizen.
As Africa’s leading financial, economic and trade partner, China cannot afford to look the other way. While the continent wallows under the weight of COVID-19-inflicted economic recession.

Revamping bilateral trade, addressing the debt burden and other incentives to enable African economies grow and stand on their feet, is not only welcome, but a necessity. In other words, a buoyant Africa will directly – if not indirectly – also help in growing China’s giant economy.

Because of their long years of tireless friendship and cooperation, it is unthinkable, therefore, for China not to do something about Africa’s post-COVID-19 dire financial and economic straits. History beckons us all to the facts of this win-win friendship such that we do not hope for anything less. Because in dire times like these, a friend in real need, becomes a friend indeed!

Kimeng Hilton NDUKONG, a journalist based in Yaounde, Cameroon, is a contributor to People’s Daily English Language Online Desk. He is a 2017 Fellow of the China-Africa Press Centre.

Image: archive

Mimi Mefo Info

You can help support our work through the link below
Share207TweetSendShare
Previous Post

“Many are dying in Cameroon and Africa! Why criticise the Yankees?” – NJ Ayuk queries AU Chair

Next Post

National And International News Roundup – 29th May 2020

Related Posts

Live Update

Inauguration of the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Senegal: A big lesson for Cameroon

March 1, 2022
Cameroon

Editorial
Cameroon’s Biya is world’s oldest president: 89 years old, 39+ years in power

February 14, 2022
Football has the power to unite Cameroonians, but not for long
Cameroon

Football has the power to unite Cameroonians, but not for long

February 9, 2022
MMI Opinion:I am OIC Market, I am Ekondo Titi, I am UB
Live Update

MMI Opinion:
I am OIC Market, I am Ekondo Titi, I am UB

December 7, 2021
Tribune : Ce qui arrive à Kamto peut t’arriver aujourd’hui ou demain!
Cameroun

Tribune : Ce qui arrive à Kamto peut t’arriver aujourd’hui ou demain!

December 6, 2021
Request for President Biya to run in 2025:
Biya will be too old to run; CPDM should just give him wings to fly
Cameroon

Attacks on schools, soft targets: Cameroon now a fragile state as Government can no longer protect civilians

November 29, 2021
You can help support our work via the link below

Recommended

Good morning and happy new week. Stay Glued to MMI for latest happenings …

News Roundup – May 16th, 2022

6 hours ago
Eto’o, Song  grace start of Elite One phase two games

Eto’o, Song grace start of Elite One phase two games

13 hours ago
Government takes measures to assist Cameroon local flour promoters

Government takes measures to assist Cameroon local flour promoters

16 hours ago
COBAC bans crypto currency exchange in CEMAC zone

COBAC bans crypto currency exchange in CEMAC zone

17 hours ago

Popular News

Plugin Install : Popular Post Widget need JNews - View Counter to be installed

You can help support our work via the link below

Category

  • Accident de la route
  • Affairs
  • Africa
  • Afrique
  • Agriculture
  • Business
  • Cameroon
  • Cameroun
  • Coupe d'Afrique des Nations
  • Crise Anglophone
  • Culture
  • Development
  • Développement
  • Economie
  • ECONOMY
  • Editor's Picks
  • Editorial
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Environment
  • Environnement
  • Food
  • Français
  • French
  • Gestion
  • Gouvernance
  • Health
  • Human Interest/Society
  • Human Rights
  • HUMANITAIRE
  • Infrastructures
  • Insécurité
  • Interviews
  • Judiciary
  • Justice
  • Lifestyle
  • Live Update
  • MONDE
  • Nécrologie
  • News
  • News Roundups
  • Opinion
  • Other
  • Politics
  • Politique
  • Religion
  • Road Safety
  • Santé
  • Science
  • Security
  • Société
  • Sport
  • Tech
  • Technologie
  • Tourisme
  • Transport
  • Travel
  • Voyage
  • World

Important Links

  • Term of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us

Copyright © 2020 Mimi Mefo Info Ltd. - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Politics
  • World
  • Business
  • Science
  • Entertainment
  • Fashion
  • Lifestyle
  • Tech
  • Health
  • Food

Copyright © 2020 Mimi Mefo Info Ltd. - All Rights Reserved.

en English
en Englishfr Français
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
pixel