Pakistan can learn a lot from China’s successful foreign policy on Africa, which has remained consistent over the years and was aimed at human and infrastructure development in the neglected continent. The approach has earned China many economic and diplomatic dividends.
Pakistan should also capitalize on its already existing goodwill in Africa owing to its historic role in the decolonization of several African nations and its significant contribution to the UN peacekeeping missions in the conflict zones of the continent.
These view was expressed at a seminar titled ‘Understanding East Africa’ organized by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) under its ‘Understanding Africa Program’ here on Friday. Ambassador (r) Tajammul Altaf, a senior research associate at IPS, was the session’s keynote speaker, which was chaired by the IPS’ Vice Chairman Ambassador (r) Syed Abrar Hussain.
Regarding China’s economic development model in Africa, the keynote speaker was of the view that the Africa policy of China has remained consistent till date and Xi Jinping after assuming the presidency of China in 2013 has further augmented it by increasing Chinese investment manifolds, which now stands at $200 billion.
Moreover, China has invested in building 24 seaports in 20 African countries apart from apportioning preferential loans for them, and pumping money in various sectors including infrastructure, communication, transportation, mining and extraction.
