Published on 30/07/2024
In a significant move to enhance digital collaboration, China and 26 African countries on Monday unveiled an action plan in Beijing to advance digital cooperation and development.
This initiative aims to strengthen partnerships in digital policy, infrastructure, cutting-edge innovation, digital transformation, security, and talent nurturing over the next three years.
The action plan includes the implementation of 10 digital transformation demonstration projects and the training of at least 1,000 professionals in the digital field.
Jin Zhuanglong, minister of industry and information technology, China’s top industry regulator, emphasized the importance of digital development in achieving inclusive growth and sustainable development.
He said China highly values cooperation with African nations in the digital domain and will continue to adhere to the principles of consultation, contribution, and shared benefits. “We will actively engage in digital cooperation with African countries to build a shared future in digital development.”
According to him, China and African countries can make more efforts to leverage channels such as the Belt and Road Initiative to enhance dialogue and strategic policy alignment, sharing development experiences and charting a course for stable and long-term cooperation.
Meanwhile, he called for efforts to co-build digital infrastructure. Under market-driven principles, more efforts can be made to promote the construction of accessible, affordable, and sustainable digital infrastructure. This includes practical cooperation in mobile communications, data centres, and other key areas, ensuring the benefits of digital development are shared widely among China and African nations, Jin added.
African participants at the Forum on China, Africa Digital Cooperation were hosted Monday (Jul. 29) by the Chinese ministry of Industry and Information Technology in Beijing
Senegal’s minister of telecommunications said he looked forward to the changes scheduled over the next three years.
“This digital cooperation between China and Africa is win-win, and will bring benefits to our countries, the African continent and China through the setting up of innovative infrastructures,” Alioune Sall said.
Speaking during the event, Omer Mohamed Ahmed Siddig, Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan to China said “Actually, for us Africans, China is a very trustworthy partner, particularly when it comes to digital cooperation. China, I think, is very advanced in telecommunication and as the minister has said – now all Chinese people in urban and rural areas, have access to the internet. So, we really need to see that in Africa.”
Meanwhile, Sekou Kromah, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Republic of Liberia said “For Liberia and China, there has been a long-time cooperation. We are very interested in working along with China to ensure that the development in the digital era is being achieved in Africa.”
SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES