Dream of the Same Sky and Build a Closer China-Africa Community with a Shared Future
仰望同一片星空，携手构建更紧密的中非命运共同体
Head of Mission of China to the African Union Ambassador Hu Changchun Published a Signed Article in Ethiopia Mainstream Media Capital
驻非盟使团团长胡长春大使在埃塞俄比亚主流媒体《资本报》发表署名文章
8 August 2022
2022年8月8日
The deep space always leaves people with infinite imagination. From the Nabta Playa site to the Timbuktu astronomical manuscripts, from the modern Square Kilometre Array in South Africa to African Space Agency established by African Union, Africa’s exploration of space has never stopped. The same is true in China. Ancient legend of Chang’e flying to the moon spread through our history, and nowadays we have realized the dream of going to the space. A beautiful encounter with space is the common aspiration of both our people for thousands of years. In early September this year, China will co-host the “Talk with Taikonauts” with African Union. This is the first time that a partner of Africa organize a Sky-Earth connection for African youths to have close engagement with astronauts in the space, which also marks the 20th anniversary for the establishment of diplomatic relation between China and African Union.
深邃的太空总给人无限遐想。从纳布塔普拉雅石阵到廷巴克图天文手稿，从南非大型射电阵到非盟成立非洲航天局，非洲对太空的探索从未停歇。中国也一样，古有嫦娥奔月传说，现有载人飞天梦圆。与太空来一场美丽邂逅是中非人民执着数千年的共同愿望。今年9月上旬，中方将同非盟共办“天宫对话”，这是域外伙伴首次通过天地连线与非洲青少年近距离接触，也是中国同非盟建交20周年庆祝活动之一。
Since the establishment of AU in 2002, China has worked hand in hand with AU for 20 years, and our strategic partnership has become stronger as time goes by:
自2002年非盟成立以来，中非盟携手走过二十载，战略伙伴关系历久弥坚：
Political mutual trust has been continuously enhanced. Over the past 20 years, the leaders of China and AU have established profound friendship and high-level mutual trust. We insist on equal treatment, mutual support in solidarity and win-win cooperation. Upholding the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, China firmly supports AU in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs, and supports African solutions to African problems. AU firmly supports China’s core interests, including the one-China principle, and supports China’s defense of national sovereignty and territorial integrity. President Xi Jinping attaches great importance to China-AU relations. He sends congratulatory letters to the AU Assembly every year and has met with a number of AU leaders. Chairperson of the AU Commission Moussa Faki has repeatedly congratulated the major events of Communist Party of China and major Chinese festivals. In February 2020, he was the first to send a letter to support China’s fight against the COVID-19.
政治互信不断增强。20年来，中非盟领导人建立了深厚友谊和高度互信。我们始终坚持平等相待、团结互助、合作共赢。中方秉持真实亲诚理念和正确义利观，支持非盟在国际和地区事务中发挥更大作用，支持以非洲方式解决非洲问题。非盟坚定支持包括一个中国原则在内的中国核心利益，支持中国捍卫国家主权和领土完整。习近平主席高度重视中非盟关系，每年向非盟峰会致贺信，先后会见多位非盟领导人。非盟委员会主席法基多次就中国共产党和中国重大节庆致贺，并在2020年2月率先致函支持中国抗疫。
Communication mechanism has been going mature. Over the past 20 years, China and AU have established a number of exchange and cooperation mechanisms to lead China-Africa cooperation. The China-AU Strategic Dialogue is a platform for China and Africa to maintain communication on major international strategic issues. It has been held for seven rounds so far. We have also established the Peace and Security Dialogue, the China-Africa Economic Cooperation Expert Group Meeting, the China-Africa Beidou Cooperation Forum, foreign policy consultations and human rights consultations. In 2015 and 2018, China and AU sent diplomatic missions to each other, and the communication channels became more effective.
交流机制走向成熟。20年来，中方同非盟建立多项交流合作机制，引领中非合作。中非盟战略对话是中非就重大国际战略问题保持沟通的平台，迄今已举办7届。双方还举办过和安对话、中非经济合作专家组会议、中非北斗合作论坛、外交政策磋商和人权磋商。2015年和2018年，中国和非盟互相派驻外交机构，交流渠道更趋完善。
Pragmatic cooperation has set examples throughout Africa. Over the past 20 years, China-AU cooperation has achieved leapfrog development. The AU Conference Center is China’s largest aid project to Africa after the Tazara Railway and has become a shining name card of Africa’s political capital. China has also aided construction of landmark buildings such as the AU Comprehensive Service Center, the Radio and Television Center, the Sunken Theater, and the China-Africa Friendship Garden, and provided several batches of material, technical and security assistance. AU is the first international organization to sign the Cooperation Plan on Belt and Road Initiative with China, as well as the first to establish the China-AU Coordination Mechanism for Implementing the BRI. AU is the bellwether to implement BRI on the continent. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China has provided a large number of supplies and vaccines to the AU. The China-aided Africa CDC Headquarter project has overcome many construction challenges and is expected to hand-over to AU early next year, which is a concrete interpretation of President Xi’s proposal to build a China-Africa community of health.
合作成果示范全非。20年来，中非盟合作实现跨越式发展。非盟会议中心是中国继坦赞铁路后对非最大援助项目，成为非洲政治首都亮丽的名片。中方还援建了非盟综合服务中心、广电中心及下沉剧场、中非友谊花园等标志性建筑，提供多批物资、技术和安全援助。非盟是首个同中方签署“一带一路”合作规划、率先建立“一带一路”工作协调机制的国际组织，是中非共建“一带一路”的领头羊。疫情以来，中方向非盟援助大量抗疫物资和疫苗，援非洲疾控中心总部项目克服多项施工挑战，预计明年初交付使用，是对习主席提出构建中非健康卫生共同体的具体诠释。
The past 20 years have been a journey of overcoming challenges and enhancing partnerships. It is believed that with the joint efforts of both parties, we will create a better future:
20年栉风沐雨，20年大浪淘沙。相信在中非盟共同努力下，我们将开创更美好未来：
First, we need work together for solidarity and rejuvenation. The Chinese Dream of great national rejuvenation and the African dream that the African people aspire to revitalize offer inspirations to each other in the new era. China and AU need to further strengthen solidarity and cooperation, firmly support each other’s core interests, deepen the experience exchange on state governance, strengthen friendly exchanges in various fields and at all levels, and enhance mutual learning between civilizations. Some western countries, out of Cold War mentality and ideological prejudice, continue to contain and smear China as well as try decoupling and breaking supply chains. Out of colonial superiority and “judges” mentality, western powers frequently lecture on Africa as well as impose sanctions and unilateral coercive measures against Africa. This is not the way to deal with Chinese and African people in the 21st century. We long for a good life, and nothing can stop us from moving forward.
一要共谋团结振兴大业。中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦和非洲人民渴望振兴的非洲梦在新世纪相互辉映。我们要进一步加强团结协作，坚定支持彼此核心利益，深化治国理政经验交流，加强各领域各层级友好往来，增进文明交流互鉴。有些西方国家出于冷战思维和意识形态偏见，对中国实施打压抹黑、脱钩断链，出于殖民优越感和教师爷心态，对非洲动辄说教、实施制裁。中非人民不吃这一套！我们渴望过上好日子，没有任何力量能够阻挡我们的前进步伐。
Second, we need speed up practical cooperation in various fields. Full play should be given to the leading and exemplary role of China-AU cooperation. We need to push forward the synergy of the BRI, Global Development Initiative, FOCAC Nine Programs and the AU Agenda 2063 as well as African development agendas, in order to continuously strengthen our creative cooperation in the area of health & disease control, trans-regional infrastructure, energy & climate change, digital economy, food security & loss, trade & investment, etc. Ultimately, it is for the Chinese and African people to judge the results of China-Africa cooperation. Some forces disregard facts, smear China-Africa cooperation, and fabricate disinformation such as “debt trap”. Their true intention is to deny the friendship between China and Africa and the well-being of African people.
二要加快各领域务实合作。我们要充分发挥中非盟合作的引领示范作用，加快“一带一路”倡议、全球发展倡议、“九项工程”与非盟《2063年议程》及非洲发展议程对接，不断加强在卫生疾控、跨区域基础设施建设、能源气变、数字经济、粮食减损、贸易投资等领域创新合作，推动中非合作不断提质升级。中非合作好不好，中非人民最有发言权。一些势力罔顾事实，抹黑中非合作，杜撰翻炒“债务陷阱”等虚假信息，实际是见不得中非关系好、见不得非洲人民好。
Third, we need jointly build the cause of fairness and justice. We must firmly uphold the just propositions of developing countries, resolutely resist the replacement of basic norms governing international relations with unilaterally-defined rules by a few countries, and call for increasing the representation and voice of developing countries in global governance, ensuring that all countries enjoy equal rights, rules and opportunities. China firmly supports AU and its member states to play a larger and more active role in international affairs, and stands ready with AU to safeguard and practice true multilateralism and promote the development of international governance system towards a more just and reasonable direction.
三要共筑公平正义事业。我们要理直气壮地坚持发展中国家的正义主张，坚决抵制少数国家以“家法帮规”取代国际关系基本准则，呼吁增加发展中国家在全球治理中的代表性和发言权，确保各国权利平等、规则平等、机会平等。中方坚定支持非盟及成员国在国际事务中发挥更大、更积极作用，愿同非盟一道，维护和践行真正的多边主义，推动国际治理体系向更加公正合理的方向发展。
As an ancient Chinese adage goes, “with one heart and one mind, we can accomplish everything we aspire for.” The overwhelming force created by the 2.8 billion people’s endeavour in China and Africa is unstoppable. Let us firm up confidence and stride forward in pursuit of higher-level and higher-quality partnership between China and AU. Take the “Talk with Taikonauts” as an opportunity to inspire young people in China and Africa to forge ahead and explore, and join hands to build an even closer China-Africa community with a shared future.
“心合意同，谋无不成。”中非28亿人民奋斗汇聚的磅礴力量势不可挡！让我们坚定信心，朝着更高水平、更高质量的中非盟关系前进！以“天宫对话”为契机，激励中非青少年奋进开拓，携手构建更紧密的中非命运共同体！