From October 13 to 15, the Second World Chinese Studies Conference was held at the Shanghai International Convention Center, with the theme "Historical China and Contemporary China in a Global Perspective." At the forum on "Theoretical Analysis and Experiences of China's Modernization," Dennis Muneene Mwaniki, Executive Director of the China-Africa Center at the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis, delivered a speech.

Dennis Muneene Mwaniki pointed out that as the world's second-largest economy, China is playing an increasingly important role in international affairs and actively contributing. Especially in the fields of solar and wind energy, China is continuously deepening its cooperation with Africa. He emphasized that the Western modernization process has brought profound disasters to many developing countries, while China is committed to rectifying this historical injustice and promoting the sustainable development of Third World countries.

After the conference, Observers.net conducted a live dialogue with Dennis Muneene Mwaniki. Using the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the Nairobi Expressway as examples, he further explained the key role China plays in infrastructure construction in Africa, emphasizing that these projects have significantly improved local transportation conditions and business environments. On the international level, he acknowledged China's efforts in helping Africa break the long-term Western discourse suppression and support Africa's efforts to secure a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

The following is a transcript of the dialogue, which has not been reviewed by the speaker and is for reference only.

【Dialogue/Observers.net, Zheng Leihuan】

Observers.net: Currently, Sino-African cooperation is flourishing, with numerous Chinese companies entering various fields in Africa. How do you view the significance of this change?

Dennis Muneene Mwaniki: Thank you for your question. Since the 21st century, we have indeed witnessed the continuous deepening of Sino-African cooperation. A significant milestone in this cooperative process was the establishment of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in 2000 by Chinese and African leaders, which laid a solid foundation for the institutional development of Sino-African relations.

After 25 years of development, more than 10,000 Chinese enterprises have taken root in Africa, covering large, medium, and small enterprises. These companies have become one of the important forces driving Africa's economic development. First, in the field of trade and economy, we have seen significant changes: goods from China have entered the African market, while these Chinese enterprises rooted in Africa have also actively introduced African products into the Chinese market. This two-way trade not only enriches both sides' consumer choices but also significantly enhances Africa's supply chain level.

Secondly, Chinese enterprises play a key role in technology transfer. They bring the latest technologies into the African market, allowing African consumers to experience innovative products available in the Chinese market. This technology sharing enables Chinese compatriots working in Africa to enjoy products and services similar to those at home, greatly promoting people-to-people exchanges.

Furthermore, in terms of cultural exchange, these enterprises have become bridges for cultural dissemination. More and more African employees are learning Chinese and understanding Chinese culture, while Chinese people coming to Africa are also actively integrating into local culture. This two-way cultural exchange promotes mutual respect and harmonious coexistence between civilizations.

I would like to share a vivid example: In my hometown, Lamu in Kenya, there were Chinese pioneers who settled here and married locals in the past. Their descendants possess both Kenyan and Chinese cultural backgrounds, which fully demonstrates the long history of Sino-African cultural exchange.

In summary, Chinese enterprises not only promote Africa's economic development but more importantly, deepen the emotional bonds between people. This kind of humanistic exchange holds significant importance for promoting social stability and the mutual learning of human civilizations.

Chinese Street in Lamu, Kenya. Source: Earth Knowledge Bureau

Observers.net: Over the past 25 years, what role has China played in Kenya's development process?

Dennis Muneene Mwaniki: Looking back at the relationship between Kenya and China, it has indeed made remarkable progress over the years. This partnership has played a key role in Kenya becoming one of the most favored economic centers in the East African Community.

Firstly, in infrastructure construction, Sino-Kenyan cooperation has brought significant changes. The most representative example is the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). This railway not only connects multiple regions within Kenya but is also planned to extend to other East African countries in the future. The SGR has promoted national development in multiple aspects: it has completely changed the way people and goods move, greatly improving transportation safety—before, when transporting goods from Mombasa Port, people often worried about whether the goods could arrive safely. Now, through the SGR, merchants can be sure that their goods will be delivered on time and safely.

At the same time, the SGR has significantly reduced transportation costs and time costs. I remember that before, it took nearly 10 hours to travel from Nairobi to Mombasa, but now it takes only 5 hours by taking the SGR. This improvement in efficiency not only facilitates people's travel but also optimizes the overall business environment.

Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, photo source

Another typical case is the construction of the Nairobi Expressway. Before, traveling from the city center to the airport often took more than two hours due to traffic congestion, causing many people to miss their flights. Now, this expressway ensures that people can reach the airport in 15 minutes, completely changing our mode of travel and time perception.

The construction and expansion of roads and transportation networks have promoted interconnectivity between different counties within the country, creating convenient conditions for commercial exchanges and personnel movement. Under the participation of Chinese enterprises, we have also built many industrial parks and special economic zones, which have significantly enhanced our country's manufacturing capabilities and trade levels.

In terms of cultural exchange, the establishment of Confucius Institutes has provided an important platform for promoting cultural exchange. Through language learning and cultural interaction, the people of the two countries have gained a deeper understanding of each other's cultural traditions.

Looking back at my childhood, it was hard to imagine witnessing such huge developments. Now, my children are enjoying the benefits of these developments—economic expansion, convenient transportation, all thanks to the stable Sino-Kenyan relationship. Therefore, as advocates of the younger generation, we are actively promoting and maintaining this productive bilateral relationship, hoping it continues to deepen and benefit the people of both countries.

Nairobi, Kenya, the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway passes through Nairobi National Park, using a full elevated approach to ensure wildlife can safely cross the railway.

Observers.net: How do you view Africa's position in the current great power competition landscape?

Dennis Muneene Mwaniki: This issue is very critical. Historically, the African continent has long been in a state of "no voice." Due to most former colonial powers—mainly from the Western world—long-term suppression of African voices, until the establishment of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, Africa was still struggling to gain a voice. Those carefully designed "policies" essentially hindered Africa's development process.

However, as Sino-African cooperation deepened, the situation began to change. African voices gradually reached the world—this is precisely the transformation driven by China through a series of initiatives. Whether it is the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, the "Belt and Road" Initiative, or the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, these mechanisms are creating channels for African and Global South countries to speak out.

Today, China is one of the main advocates supporting African countries to obtain a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. This point is crucial—a continent with nearly 1.4 billion people should have its own representatives on the highest decision-making platform.

We should no longer be seen as exploitable objects. Africa is a strategically important area rich in mineral resources, supplying nearly half of the global mineral resources. The development of Western countries is largely built on our resource base, so Africa must have the appropriate position at the international negotiation table.

When discussing global issues, China has become an important pillar in helping Africa regain its voice. International respect must be based on real development achievements, and China is helping Africa achieve this goal—not just promoting industrial growth, but more importantly, helping us process raw materials to enhance product value-added. This is precisely the key aspect of the Chinese cooperation model we have witnessed.

Now, the African Union, consisting of 55 member states, is speaking as a whole on the international stage. It is crucial for the world to hear the challenges Africa faces: we are still lagging in infrastructure construction and are in the process of catching up.

Therefore, the development demands of the African continent need to be seriously heard, and China is playing a constructive role in this process. This cooperation is not only about economic development, but also about equal dialogue between civilizations and building a more fair international order.

Observers.net: With the increasing intensity of great power competition, the "narrative struggle" on the international stage has become increasingly intense, and this is one of the reasons why we hold the World Chinese Studies Conference. From your perspective, how do you understand the meaning and value of "Chinese Studies" today?

Dennis Muneene Mwaniki: I believe the significance of Chinese Studies research is clear and important.

Firstly, looking at China's development journey, today's achievements are built from the accumulation of past efforts. China once experienced a relatively poor period, but through the process of reform and opening up, China not only achieved its own development but also actively shared development experiences with the world. As Mr. Deng Xiaoping said: While pursuing our own development, we should also care about other developing countries.

Guided by this concept, China has always been thinking about: how to help other countries progress together while developing itself; how to find its place in the world order and take on its due responsibilities.

It is particularly worth mentioning that China places ecological civilization construction in a prominent position. China's experience has inspired many African countries. We clearly realize that during the process of promoting infrastructure construction and economic development, we must balance environmental protection and explore a path of green development. Because what we pursue is not only common prosperity but also the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature.

Secondly, China's development practice shows that it never imposes its model on others, but rather genuinely shares its development experiences—including how to resist external pressures, overcome various difficulties and obstacles, and finally grow into the world's second-largest economy with perseverance.

The current international order is breaking away from the previous unipolar hegemony, and the Global South is gradually becoming an important force in promoting multipolarity. Under the leadership of countries like China, the Global South provides a platform for equal expression for developing countries. Many countries that previously struggled to express their demands on the international stage can now participate in the construction of the global governance system. This people-centered new model of global governance ensures that every country is heard and every nation shares development opportunities. We firmly believe that under the framework of the Global South, the international community will be more inclusive and just, truly realizing the beautiful vision of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Certainly, through Chinese Studies research, we can also deeply understand China's development process and draw suitable development ideas for our own national conditions. These studies show us that as long as we uphold perseverance and adhere to a people-centered policy orientation, achieving economic transformation and development is not an impossible dream. This is the core value I am exploring here—China has never tried to export its model, but rather shares its development journey, practical experiences, and future vision.

This month, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China will convene a meeting to review the outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan. This medium- to long-term plan will not only change the lives of the Chinese people but also bring inspiration to other civilizations. Looking back at China's "13th Five-Year Plan," it played a key role in helping the global economy recover from the pandemic. At that time, the emergence of strategic emerging industries greatly promoted the improvement and development of the global supply chain.

Under the framework of Chinese Studies research, what I see is not only the rise of a nation, but also the development wisdom of a civilization through practical exploration. China not only shares its achievements but also does not shy away from its past setbacks—this pragmatic attitude is the most precious value of Chinese Studies. For the African continent, these experiences provide important references, helping us walk more steadily on the path of independent development.

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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7561971780093592100/

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