Fifty African experts (University Professors, Research Institute Directors, Think Tank Presidents, etc.) took part in the seminar on Chinese-style modernization and African development, held from July 17 to 24, 2024, in China’s Shaanxi Province. Upon returning home, some of them agreed to answer our “Three Questions to the Xi’an Seminar Participants.” Today, we're with the representative of South Mauritius, Professor Shaktee Ramtohul.
Hello Professor Shaktee Ramtohul, you are the Mauritius representative at the Xi'an seminar on ‘Chinese-style modernization and African development’. Introduce yourself and tell us what your impressions are after this major meeting to implement the six main objectives and ten Actions of the strategic partnership between China and Africa? As an introduction, I am Shaktee Ramtohul, a Lecturer and Business Consultant, based in Mauritius. China and Maurititius hold strong ties dating back to the 18th Century which saw Chinese Immigration to Mauritius. Throughout the years, the Sino-Mauritian community has played a significant role in the economic prosperity of the island. The recent seminar entitled Chinese Modernization and African Development paved the way for a new era of collaboration in the field of Infrastructure, Health, Agriculture and Most importantly knowledge exchange. Chinese Modernization is testimony of political will as well as the patriotic drive of its people and the recent Seminar depicted that China-Africa Cooperation along with the right funding and governance framework can surely improve economic and social fundamentals.
What proposals do you have for Sino-African cooperation that is closer to the people, as seen from South Mauritius? The Chinese Spring Festival is a public holiday in Mauritius and it signifies the cultural ties and the mutual respect between our nations. Mauritius has recently signed a Free Trade Agreement with China and I gather that such free Trade Agreements have been extended to the African nations. Most Importantly, the Bank of China in Mauritius has been designated as a clearing bank for transactions being done(mostly business transactions) between China and Mauritius. This implies that Mauritian companies can operate a RMB account and settle their invoices in RMB rather than relying on the US Dollar. I believe such a measure could be extended to other African nations.
What do you think of the Xi'an Reflection Group's initiative to follow up the Xi'an seminar? The XI'an reflection group is both a notable and significant intitative. It is important to reflect as one African nation but also mutually assist our African citizens through knowledge exchange. This is because as an African, I believe that we share a common destiny.
Interview by Héribert-Label Élisée ADJOVI / Special envoy to Xi'an