Fifty African experts (University Professors, Directors of research institutes, Presidents of think tanks, etc.) participated in the seminar on “Chinese-style Modernization and Africa’s Development”, held from July 17 to 24, 2024, in Shaanxi Province, China. Upon returning to their respective countries, some agreed to respond to our column “Three Questions for Participants of the Xi’an Seminar.” Today, we are joined by the representative from Cameroon, Professor of Economics, Bruno Emmanuel Ongo Nkoa.
Hello Professor Bruno Emmanuel Ongo Nkoa, you are Cameroon’s representative at the Xi’an seminar on “Chinese-style Modernization and Africa’s Development.” Please introduce yourself and share your impressions following this major event focused on implementing the six main objectives and ten strategic partnership actions between China and Africa.
Thank you for this opportunity to reflect on this high-level seminar held in China’s Shaanxi Province, specifically in the cities of Yangling and Xi’an—the provincial capital and cradle of Chinese civilization. I am Bruno Emmanuel Ongo Nkoa, Professor of Economics at the University of Yaoundé II in Cameroon. I was the official delegate representing Cameroon at this important seminar. It followed the 9th China-Africa Summit held on September 4–6, 2024, in Beijing. The summit’s theme was “Working Together to Promote Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.” The Xi’an Seminar was organized to implement the strategic recommendations of that summit, under the theme: “Chinese-style Modernization and Africa’s Development.”
My impressions after participating in this seminar, alongside 50 delegates from African countries, are positive, satisfying, and encouraging. In both agriculture and technology, we witnessed China’s remarkable achievements and how it has preserved its culture while building an ideal of peace, happiness, and progress across many sectors. This seminar reinforced Cameroon’s vision of its relationship with China, as championed by the President of the Republic of Cameroon, His Excellency Mr. Paul Biya: - The fight against terrorism and China’s support against the Islamist sect Boko Haram - Aid and grant agreements from China amounting to several hundreds of billions - Funding for the second phase of the potable water supply project in nine Cameroonian cities - A memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in infrastructure - An agreement to improve industrial production capacity - And a memorandum of understanding to enhance human resource development
What proposals do you have for a China-Africa cooperation that is closer to the people, from Cameroon’s perspective?
Cameroon and China have maintained diplomatic relations since March 26, 1971—a date marking their diversified cooperation in economic, cultural, political, defense, agricultural, and health sectors, among others. This cooperation is highlighted by numerous visits between the two Heads of State. The President of the Republic of Cameroon has already made seven visits to China.
Several proposals can be made to strengthen China-Africa cooperation from Cameroon’s viewpoint. In agriculture, cooperation could focus on mechanizing or modernizing agricultural production tools, enhancing youth training, and intensifying trade between the two parties—especially in agriculture. Key areas of need include: - Youth training and education in agricultural production and processing - Creation of startups focused on innovating modern agricultural tools - Poultry farming and establishing a poultry value chain - Building value chains for fish and maize - Developing new methods for packaging agricultural products - Experimenting with new agricultural products such as kiwi, raspberries, strawberries, and others - Producing high-yield improved seeds
What do you think of the Xi’an Think Tank initiative for follow-up on the Xi’an seminar?
This initiative, born from the Xi’an seminar, is timely—especially considering that many such seminars have been held without yielding lasting outcomes. Given the strong support from participants, we are confident that this initiative has a promising future. I believe four key objectives can be assigned to it, considering the enthusiasm and interest in China’s economic development among Africans in general, and Cameroonians in particular: - A space for exchange and sharing of field experiences and information - A platform to facilitate capacity building among Africans - A framework for conducting studies and projects in our respective countries - And a mechanism to strengthen cooperation between the two entities Thank you.
Interview by Héribert-Label Élisée ADJOVI / Special envoy to Xi'an