‘Talk with Taikonauts’ Helps Boost Cooperation Between China and the AU
“天宫对话”助力中非盟合作提质升级
Head of Mission of China to the African Union Ambassador Hu Changchun Published a Signed Article in CGTN
驻非盟使团团长胡长春大使发表署名文章
8 September 2022
2022年9月8日
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the African Union (AU), the China Mission to the AU, the China Manned Space Agency and the African Union Commission jointly organized the event “Talk with Taikonauts – Q&A Session between the Shenzhou-14 Astronaut Crew and African Youths” on September 6.
为庆祝中非盟建交20周年，中国驻非盟使团、中国载人航天工程办公室和非盟委员会于9月6日共同举办“天宫对话——神舟十四号航天员乘组与非洲青少年问答”活动。这是主要航空航天大国首次通过“天地连线”与非洲青少年直接接触，将进一步激励广大非洲青少年仰望星空、投身科技。活动的成功举办既彰显了中非紧密的团结合作，更表明了新形势下，中非携手共攀科技高峰的坚定意愿。
In recent years, thanks to the impetus provided by the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), space cooperation has become a highlight of China-Africa cooperation. The two sides have achieved fruitful results through various forms of cooperation, such as satellite import and export, joint construction of space infrastructures, sharing of satellite resources and joint satellite research and development. China’s space science and technology is playing an increasingly important role in promoting the economic and social development of African countries and bringing benefits to the lives of African people.
近年来，在中非合作论坛和“一带一路”倡议引领下，航天合作已成为中非合作的重要亮点。双方在卫星整星进出口、共建航天基础设施、共享卫星资源、联合卫星研发等多形式合作取得丰硕成果。中方航天科技在促进非洲国家经济社会发展、惠及非洲人民生产生活方面发挥越来越大作用：
First, China has helped African countries to upgrade their space facilities. Six of the 45 African satellites launched between 1998 and 2021 were made and launched in China. Chinese companies have also helped African countries such as Nigeria, Algeria, Ethiopia and Sudan to build five satellites. In January 2019, China and Egypt signed a cooperative agreement on the construction of EgyptSat-2. The deal includes the construction of a small remote sensing satellite, a ground control station, and a set of ground application systems. Upon completion of the project, Egypt will be the first African country to have complete capabilities of satellite assembly, integration and testing.
一是帮助非洲国家提升航天硬件水平。1998年至2021年间发射的45颗非洲卫星中，有6颗是在中国发射的，均由中国制造。中国企业还帮助尼日利亚、阿尔及利亚、埃塞俄比亚和苏丹等非洲国家建造了5颗卫星。2019年1月，中埃两国签署埃及二号卫星实施协议，建设内容包括一颗小型遥感卫星、一个地面测控站和一套地面应用系统。项目完成后，埃及将成为首个具有完备卫星总装集成测试能力的非洲国家。
Second, China provides high-quality training to help Africa cultivate local space talents. Since 2014, China has provided government-funded scholarships to African graduate students from eight countries – namely Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Togo, Cameroon, Mozambique, Nigeria and Sudan – for them to study in the fields of remote sensing and geographic information system, satellite communication and navigation, and small satellite technology. China has also carried out space science and technology innovation cooperation and exchange activities with universities and research institutions in countries such as Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Tunisia, Cameroon and Morocco.
二是提供高质量培训助力非洲培养本土航天人才。中方2014年以来先后在遥感与地理信息系统、卫星通信与卫星导航、小卫星技术等方向，利用全额中国政府奖学金资助了来自阿尔及利亚、埃及、埃塞俄比亚、多哥、喀麦隆、莫桑比克、尼日利亚、苏丹等8个国家的非洲籍研究生。此外，中方还同埃及、阿尔及利亚、尼日利亚、突尼斯、喀麦隆、摩洛哥等国高校和科研机构开展航天领域科技创新合作与交流活动。
Third, China uses space science and technology to support Africa's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. To aid the medical and education sectors in Africa, China has provided satellite-based digital technology support, which has played an important role in popularizing knowledge of pandemic control and ensuring teaching activities in African countries. In May 2020, a team from the China Academy of Space Technology, in cooperation with the Algerian Space Agency, launched a distance learning system with the help of ALCOMSAT-1 and opened the National Education Channel, effectively solving the problem in students' access to classes. In addition, with the help of satellite-enabled digital technology, Chinese companies have disseminated real and effective information on pandemic control to the general public, injecting positive energy into China-Africa solidarity in the fight against COVID-19.
三是利用航天科技支持非洲有效应对新冠疫情。面对疫情给医疗和教育领域带来的冲击，中方提供卫星数字技术支持，为非洲国家防疫知识普及、教学活动保障等发挥了重要作用。2020年5月，中国空间技术研究院团队与阿尔及利亚航天局合作，借助阿尔及利亚一号通信卫星资源启动远程教育系统，开通“国家教育频道”，有效解决学生上课难问题。此外，中企借助卫星数字技术，向民众传播真实有效的防疫信息，为中非团结抗疫注入正能量。
With joint efforts, the China-AU space cooperation has forged ahead with great potential. Last November, China and the AU jointly organized the first China-Africa BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) Cooperation Forum to build an important exchange platform between China and Africa in the field of satellite navigation, during which a report titled “10 Application Scenarios of BDS in Africa” was released, showcasing practical application cases and future cooperation ideas around BDS in Africa. According to the Dakar Action Plan of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation adopted in November last year, the AU will work with the China National Space Administration to deliberate on and draft the White Paper on China-Africa Space Cooperation, identifying key areas and directions for cooperation. China-Africa space cooperation will bring a wide range of benefits to the people of China and Africa.
在双方共同努力下，中非盟航天合作突飞猛进，潜力巨大。去年11月，中非盟联合举办首届中非北斗合作论坛，搭建起中非在卫星导航领域的重要交流平台，期间发布《北斗卫星导航系统在非十大应用场景》，展示了北斗在非洲的实际应用案例和未来的合作构想。根据去年11月通过的《中非合作论坛达喀尔行动计划》，非盟将与中国国家航天局共同研究提出《中非航天合作白皮书》，确定合作重点领域和重点方向。中非盟航天合作将广泛惠及中非人民。
In October this year, the Communist Party of China will hold its 20th National Congress to lead the Chinese people on a new journey of building a modern socialist country in a holistic way. The AU will also soon to adopt the Second Ten Year Implementation Plan under Agenda 2063, which will usher in new development opportunities for Africa. On the threshold of a new point in history, we should become more united, adhere to the principle of sincere friendship, mutual respect and equal treatment, firmly support each other’s core interests, and strengthen friendly exchanges in all fields and at all levels. We should give full play to the leading and exemplary role of China-Africa cooperation; accelerate the alignment of the BRI, the Global Development Initiative and the “Nine Programs” with the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the African Development Agenda; and turn China-Africa space efforts into a shining example of China-Africa cooperation. China will also continue to strengthen innovative cooperation with Africa in areas such as health and disease control, cross-regional infrastructure construction, green development, digital economy, food security, trade and investment, and upgrade the quality of China-Africa cooperation. China is ready to work with the AU to make tireless efforts in building a more comprehensive and higher-quality China-AU community with a shared future!
今年10月，中国共产党将召开第二十次全国代表大会，带领中国人民在全面建设社会主义现代化国家新征程上阔步前行。非盟也将启动《2063年议程》第二个十年落实规划，非洲将迎来新的发展契机。站在新的历史起点上，我们应当更紧密地团结起来，坚持真诚友好、相互尊重、平等相待，坚定支持彼此核心利益，加强各领域各层级友好往来。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，将中非盟航天合作打造为中非合作金字招牌，并不断加强在卫生疾控、跨区域基础设施建设、绿色发展、数字经济、粮食安全、贸易投资等领域创新合作，推动中非合作不断提质升级。中方愿同非盟一道，为打造更高水平、更全方位、更高质量的中非盟命运共同体而不懈努力！