By A.B.
Kafui Kanyi, GNA Correspondent, Beijing, China
Beijing (China), Aug. 31, GNA - Professor Li
Anshan, Director, Africa Research Centre, Peking University of China, has
cautioned Africa against copying the development models of China and other
developed nations.
He said such moves could be a recipe for
disaster for Africa economies because their natural environment, cultures and
histories were different from China and those countries.
Prof. Anshan gave the caution at a seminar for
selected media practitioners from Ghana in Beijing, China.
He said African countries could pick lessons
on "unity, harmony, purposefulness and how to rally people for
growth" but not China's model.
Prof. Anshan advised African leaders to focus
on education, self-determination and be less dependent on aid.
He also asked them to make good use of the
media to keep stable social environment.
Prof. Anshan said good use of the media would
safeguard national interests and "state sovereignty".
He said it was not advisable to keep focus on
only economic development but responsible media to maintain value systems and
cultural heritage.
In a related development, presidents,
government officials and business executives from Africa have started arriving
in Beijing, China's capital ahead of a two-day China-Africa Summit aimed at
deepening trade relations between Africa and China in a win-win cooperation.
Infrastructural development, industrialization
and agriculture are likely to top discussions at the summit to be opened by the
Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 3, 2018.
The two-day Forum on China-Africa Cooperation
(FOCAC), is being held under the theme: "China and Africa: Towards an even
stronger community with a shared future through win-win cooperation".
Information gathered by the Ghana News Agency
indicate that there would be 14 sub sessions with discussions on poverty
reduction, Beijing declaration and how to deepen people to people exchanges
towards rapid socioeconomic development through a win-win partnership.
Discussions on China's "Belt and Road
Initiative"-BRI, is expected to be key, in connecting Africa, Asia and
America to improve trade and growth.
China believes the BRI will help decode
Africa's economy towards the implementation of AU's Agenda 2063 and UN's 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development.
FOCAC, which is in its 18th year,
is said to be the largest "home-field" diplomatic activity attended
by the most number of foreign leaders following the 2006 Beijing Summit and the
2015 Johannesburg Summit.
GNA