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 to their respective countries, some agreed to respond to our “Three Questions to the Xi’an Seminar Participants.” Today, we speak with the representative of the Republic of Congo, who co-chairs the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Mr. Steven Moussala Banzouzi.
Hello Mr. Steven Lumière Moussala Banzouzi, you are the Republic of Congo’s representative at the Xi’an seminar on “Chinese-style Modernization and African Development.” Please introduce yourself and share your impressions following this major event focused on implementing the six modernization objectives and ten strategic partnership actions between China and Africa.
My name is Steven Lumière Moussala Banzouzi. As Advisor to the Prime Minister and Head of the Department for Cooperation and Relations with Congolese Abroad, I had the honor of representing the Republic of Congo at the Xi’an seminar on “Chinese-style Modernization and African Development.”
First of all, I would like to emphasize that the Republic of Congo’s participation in the Xi’an seminar is part of a strategic dynamic aimed at: - Supporting the vision of the President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Denis Sassou Nguesso, within the framework of the strategic partnership between the Republic of Congo and the People’s Republic of China; - Strengthening bilateral ties with China, a historic partner of our country; - Drawing inspiration from China’s achievements in planning, industrialization, modern agriculture, and technological innovation, and adapting them to our national reality; - Identifying concrete cooperation opportunities in the priority sectors of our National Development Plan; - Promoting skills transfer and the training of qualified human resources; - Encouraging balanced cooperation that respects national sovereignty.
Our participation in this meeting provided valuable insights, especially on agricultural development, which is a key axis of the strategic partnership between the Republic of Congo and the People’s Republic of China. Agriculture represents a real alternative to fossil fuels—by nature non-renewable—and a vital lever for achieving food self-sufficiency. Inspired by China’s experience, Congo intends to harness its vast natural potential to diversify its economy. The exchanges in Xi’an left a very positive impression and opened concrete prospects in this direction.
During the closing ceremony, I had the distinct honor of delivering a speech in the presence of Ms. Ma Jing, Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Yangling Demonstration Zone and Executive Deputy Director of the Agricultural Base Office of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, along with many dignitaries from fifty African countries. These discussions allowed for an in-depth exploration of cooperation prospects and the integration of development models within the African context.
What proposals do you have for Sino-African cooperation that is closer to the people, from the perspective of Congo? It is desirable that cooperation between China and Congo follow an inclusive approach, taking into account not only public policies driven by His Excellency Mr. Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic, but also the actions of private operators across the national territory.
The Congolese Head of State places agriculture at the heart of his government’s agenda, with ambitious policies for the development of this vital sector. However, the lack of modern technologies remains a major obstacle to full implementation.
In this regard, the Congo–China partnership would benefit from focusing on: - Training farmers, especially in rural areas; - Diversifying crops; - Providing modern equipment to enable true mechanization of agriculture, which is still practiced in a rudimentary way.
It would also be wise for the Chinese side to propose affordable technological solutions, while encouraging experience-sharing and technical assistance between Congolese and Chinese agricultural operators. Within the framework of public-private partnerships, greater openness to Chinese agricultural investment in the Republic of Congo should also be encouraged.
What do you think of the Xi’an Reflection Group’s initiative to follow up on the Xi’an seminar? The Xi’an initiative reflects the shared will of His Excellency Mr. Denis Sassou Nguesso and His Excellency Mr. Xi Jinping to bring their peoples closer together in a win-win partnership dynamic, reinforcing a bilateral cooperation that spans more than half a century.
We hope that this initiative will become: - A privileged space for experience-sharing between African and Chinese agricultural operators; - A business hub in the agricultural sector; - And a strengthened framework for cooperation aimed at increasing food capacity across the African continent in general, and in the Republic of Congo in particular.
Ultimately, the Xi’an Reflection Group is a welcome initiative, as it provides a major platform for following up on the Xi’an initiative and a key asset for developing and strengthening the People-to-People China–Africa cooperation we wholeheartedly support.
Thank you.
Interview by Héribert-Label Élisée ADJOVI / Special envoy to Xi'an