China's poverty alleviation: a lesson for Africa

Africa should be looking to change the course of its history as China did in 1978, when Deng Xiaoping assumed power and introduced major reforms, most notably perhaps was the shift from a planned economy toward a market economy.

South African training program attendees visiting a packaging industrial park at Zhaidian Town of Jishan County in Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province.

In fighting poverty, the Chinese government and its people have come together to alleviate poverty by improving the infrastructure and trade networks; investing in human capital; encouraging in-depth financial reforms; and reducing barriers for both industrialization and the entry of new products.

With little prior exposure to or knowledge of the fruits of Chinese people’s labor and unity, most first-time visitors to China are stunned and deeply impressed by the skyscrapers and architectural designs permeating the country’s cities.

But one need look back only some 30 years prior to see a completely different China from that of today: The country was very poor, and the infrastructure had been developed to merely a fraction of what it is now.

The government and people of China have shown the world that they are still true partners of Africa by supporting Africa’s commitment to its own path of growth and development.

The newly founded Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which was officially launched in December 2015, marks the recent rejuvenation of the long-established relationship.

The people of Africa should look to follow the footsteps of China in alleviating poverty and should look to emulate China in opening up the economy and embarking on economic reform to embrace strong, new trading partners – like China itself.