Source: Overseas Network
Overseas Network, May 25 According to the WeChat public account of "China's Embassy in Burkina Faso", recently, Ambassador to Burkina Faso Li Jian accepted an exclusive interview with Bundesliga in the third anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Bundesliga, comprehensively sorting out the achievements of China-Bundesliga cooperation over the past three years and looking forward to the future cooperation prospects. The full text is as follows:
Question: May 26, 2021 is the third anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between Burkina Faso and the People's Republic of China. How has the cooperation between the two countries been in the past three years?
Li Jian: In the three years since the resumption of diplomatic relations, China-Brazil relations have continued to develop rapidly. Bilateral pragmatic cooperation has established pillars and beams, deepened and meticulous work, and achieved fruitful results in the fields of health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, economy and trade, and established a mature communication and cooperation mechanism. The cooperation pattern of diverse fields, rich levels and open structure has been basically determined. The cooperation situation of the people of China-Brazil is as close as brothers, trusting and learning from each other, overcoming difficulties together, and seeking development together has been formed. China-Brazil relations are in line with the tide of the development of China-Africa relations. They started late and rushed to catch up, showing many distinctive characteristics. First, there is full political mutual trust and top-level design. Under the high attention and joint guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Caborre, the cooperation between the two countries has always been forward-looking and planned, and has always had clear and clear key areas and directions for cooperation, and has always been moving steadily in the direction of implementing the consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries. Second, it has a solid public opinion foundation. China-Brazil's resumption of diplomatic relations follows the historical trend and the will of the people. China-Brazil's cooperation is in line with the common development interests of the two countries. The results of cooperation are visible and tangible, bringing changes to the local area, nurturing hope, improving the quality of life of the people, enhancing friendly feelings, and gaining the heartfelt support of the people of both countries. Third, we have the will to unite and firm determination to overcome all challenges. Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 epidemic sweeping the world, the enthusiasm for cooperation between the two countries has not faded and the momentum has not diminished. We have faced difficulties, not only made significant progress in promoting multiple bilateral cooperation projects, but also helped us in time to fight the epidemic together, demonstrating that the people of the two countries are stronger than gold. China-Brazil cooperation will continue to maintain a strong momentum. China will continue to do its best to support Brazil in defeating the epidemic and revitalizing the economy as soon as possible, and achieve greater results in seeking a development path that meets its own conditions.
Question: There are many main lines of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Can you list the main actions in education, health, vocational training, and sports?
Li Jian: In three years, bilateral cooperation can be said to have blossomed in full swing, and highlights have appeared in various fields such as education, health, technical cooperation, and culture. Among the educational cooperation, the most eye-catching thing is the completion and delivery of 113 thatched hut primary schools in China to assist in Burma. In terms of higher education cooperation, more than 100 outstanding students from Burma have received Chinese government scholarships to study in China. The Confucius Institute of Bobo is about to be launched. China will help Burma increase its investment in education and improve its education level within its capacity, so as to further create employment for Burma and cultivate talents for promoting economic and social development. In the field of health, the first large-scale aid project discussed and implemented after the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Broadcasting - Bobo Hospital held a groundbreaking ceremony last year. The hospital designed 500 beds. After completion, it will become a national-level comprehensive teaching hospital with advanced levels in Bu, radiating to millions of people in the southwest, greatly alleviating the serious shortage of local medical infrastructure, and is of great significance to strengthening the infrastructure in Bu's medical and health field and improving people's livelihood. China also has a permanent medical team in Bufang, which closely cooperates with Bufang medical staff in designated hospitals to engage in daily diagnosis and treatment, and conducts extensive consultation and free medical consultation activities in regional hospitals and rural areas. Two phases of the "Bright Tour" activities have been held, with nearly 400 cataract surgeries being completed in total, with a 100% success rate. Since the outbreak of the new crown pneumonia epidemic in China, all sectors of China have provided a large amount of medical supplies to the Bangladesh side, especially the first medical expert team sent by the Chinese government to support the non-anti-epidemic anti-epidemic expert group to help Bangladesh improve the epidemic prevention and control system and enhance the medical team's ability to respond to the epidemic, which has made an indelible contribution to the progress of Bangladesh's epidemic prevention and control. In the field of vocational education, the current China-Aided Expert Group involves 6 majors, training hundreds of teachers and students in the capital Ouagadougou, Bobo and Jinyare, arranges students to intern in China, holds national vocational skills competitions, and collects experiences into a book.In the field of sports, Shaolin Temple, an internationally famous Chinese Kung Fu hometown, sent a delegation of monks to communicate in-depth with Bu martial arts enthusiasts, allowing Bu people to appreciate the beauty of Chinese martial arts up close. The Chinese Ambassador Cup martial arts, table tennis and badminton competitions are popular every year, igniting the people's enthusiasm for sports and enhancing Bu's feelings for China.
Question: In the agricultural field, the Xiaomi project assisted by China will be completed this year. Can you give a brief summary of this project?
Li Jian: Since the Xiaomi group project began to be implemented on April 15, 2019, with the strong concern and support of the governments of China and Bangladesh, and with the efforts and cooperation of the teams of both sides, it has achieved encouraging phased results in the past two years. First, improve basic supporting facilities. The project has built a 65-hectare core breeding base in Lumbila Farm in the central plateau region, including supporting facilities such as base offices, training classrooms, seed laboratories, seed storage rooms, etc., and has built a good breeding and demonstration promotion system suitable for Bufang's implementation; established the Zhongcukozi Joint Research Center, handed over seed detection experimental equipment and instruments worth about 75 million Western France to Bufang, and trained a group of experimental technicians who are good at operating and knowledgeable about theory. Second, the demonstration planting results are gratifying. 12 demonstration planting sites have been built nationwide, with a total of more than 5,000 tons of original seeds, a series of agricultural machinery, fertilizers, pesticides and other production materials and planting subsidies, and hundreds of farmers have been encouraged to breed 1,000 hectares of land, increasing the production of grain by about 200,000 tons of millet varieties; carried out the cultivation of millet varieties and technical demonstration and promotion, successfully introduced pearl millet varieties and screened out several excellent Chinese millet varieties that are suitable for local cultivation. Among them, the average output of pearl millet varieties (SUPERSOSAT) can reach 2.8 tons/hectare, and the highest yield per unit of Chinese millet planted in the experimental plant can reach 4.4 tons/hectare. The third is to expand training and drive independent production capacity. Carry out agricultural technology training and share the achievements made by China in millet planting management technology and breeding research. A total of more than 8,000 people were trained, greatly improving the cultivation practice ability of the trainees and laying a good foundation for the comprehensive promotion of advanced millet planting technology. In addition, during the production process, the project employs more than 10,000 local employees, which improves the planting capacity of local farmers and increases their income. Fourth, help establish a product industrial processing system and improve the industrial level. The Xiaomi processing plant built by China is about to be operated, introducing a full set of domestic millet processing production lines to help the cloth side realize the industrialization of millet, extend the industrial chain, and increase added value.
Question: The construction of Bobo-Diuraso Hospital was held in October 2020. How is the construction of the project progress?
Li Jian: The construction project of Bobo-Diuraso Teaching Hospital is a flagship project in the field of major concerns about the development of people's livelihood and the fields of medical and health cooperation between the two countries. China has always attached great importance to and actively promoted relevant progress. After the Burj Kwai government officially decided to change the site in June 2020, China "urgently what the Bu side is anxious about" and sent a team to Bu side to complete the geological survey of the new site in the shortest time, and held a groundbreaking ceremony with Bu side in October 2020. At present, our geological survey team has submitted the updated drawings and other related professional materials to the Budian for review in early March 2021. After the Budian confirms, the Chinese side will organize subsequent procedures such as bidding for construction companies. The Embassy will continue to coordinate with relevant departments to accelerate the promotion of relevant work and strive to officially start construction as soon as possible within the year.
Question: Burkina Faso and China's bilateral trade volume has grown rapidly. What impact has the new crown epidemic had on the trade exchanges between the two countries?
Li Jian: Since the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil, bilateral trade has increased in both quantity and quality, and its development momentum is good. According to the "2019 Trade Balance Report" released by the Bundesliga competent authorities, China is the fourth largest trading partner and the largest source of imports, among which Bundesliga exports to China increased by 10.6%. Bilateral trade not only directly plays a positive role in improving the commodity structure and promoting industrial upgrading between the two countries, but also the goods from China are of high quality and low price, greatly enriching the local market and bringing tangible benefits to the lives of the people.
It is undeniable that due to adverse factors such as flight grounding, border closures, and rising raw material prices in the early stages of the epidemic, world trade has suffered an unprecedented impact, and economic globalization is facing severe tests. However, with China and Blazil successfully controlling the epidemic, especially as a "world factory" with a complete range of products and a "international market" with a large scale, China has taken the lead in resuming work and production, playing a positive role in supporting the global fight against the epidemic and maintaining the stability of the world economy. In 2020, China-Brazil trade rose against the trend and rose instead of falling. According to statistics from China's customs, the annual bilateral trade volume reached US$400 million, an increase of 24.5% year-on-year, setting a record high, among which the exports of Blazil to China increased by nearly 30%. This achievement is hard-won, and once again proves that China-Brazil trade structure is highly complementary, solid and resilient, and has broad development prospects. In 2020, China gave 97% of the tariff-free treatment for products imported from China to China, which provided new opportunities and impetus to help Burma resist the adverse effects of the epidemic and enhance the vitality of market entities. In the next step, China will focus on building a more open new development pattern of domestic and international dual circulation and the construction of the African Free Trade Zone, encourage the expert group of technical cooperation projects to assist the Bundesliga and Chinese enterprises to help Bundesliga further explore the potential of characteristic export products, improve the level of deep processing and added value of agricultural products, implement relevant measures of the new session of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, and through the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo and the CIIE, it will improve the popularity of Bundesliga-related products and the convenience of access in China, and further promote the balanced and healthy development of bilateral trade.
Question: What are the important projects under implementation in bilateral cooperation at present?
Li Jian: First, infrastructure project. The Chinese government invested US$30 million in financial support to complete the renovation of 113 thatched hut primary schools. Under the "National Commitment Project" announced by President Caborre, rural clinics, wells and other facilities were built for backward areas, greatly promoting people's livelihood development. The third phase of the project is still under implementation. The Bobo Hospital project has attracted great attention from the people of Bundesliga. The relevant departments of China and Bundesliga are strengthening coordination and promotion, and strive to officially start construction as soon as possible. The "Smart Burkina Faso" project, which provides a preferential loan of approximately US$90 million, will be started soon. After completion, it will greatly promote the construction of the urban security system of Ouagadougou and Bobo-Diuraso. The Coris Bank office building, Penny Gas Station supporting facilities project, Dongsen Airport Technical Building and other projects constructed by Chinese companies are progressing smoothly, and the projects that are yet to be implemented in the plans of the two countries are also steadily advancing. Next, China will also promote more projects to be implemented in Latin America as soon as possible based on the actual needs of the Bangladesh side. The China-Buddhist Friendship Fitness Park we completed last year was loved and welcomed by Waga citizens and will continue to be implemented this year.
The second is material support. In order to alleviate food security issues, China has provided 5,331 tons of emergency food aid to Bangladesh, and the two sides will officially hold a handover ceremony in the near future. At the same time, in order to alleviate the shortage of terrorist attacks on refugees in Burma, China will provide a batch of emergency humanitarian material assistance, including buckets, quilts, tents, medicines and other necessary daily necessities, and is speeding up the preparation of materials. In addition, China will also promote the implementation of President Xi Jinping’s important initiative on the establishment of the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund in Burma, and is actively promoting multilateral cooperation with international institutions such as the World Food Programme to provide practical actions to the best of its ability to refugees in Burma who are plagued by the health and security situation. In the field of fighting the new crown pneumonia epidemic, China provided four batches of government assistance in 2020, including a large number of ventilators, oxygen generators, masks, testing reagents, protective clothing, gloves, etc. In addition, China's friendly cities, enterprises and Chinese expatriates in Burma have successively provided a large amount of material assistance to the Burma side. According to the trend of the epidemic, the two sides will continue to maintain close communication on relevant material demand.
The third is technical cooperation. The medical expert group for the anti-epidemic assistance to Burma is the first medical expert group for the anti-epidemic sent by China to Africa. During its in Burma, it has effectively helped Burma improve its epidemic prevention and control capabilities through field inspections, technical exchanges and professional training.The expert group of agricultural technology cooperation projects and the expert group of Xiaomi demonstration projects have repeatedly broken local yield records, and have supported President Cabore's strategic goal of "annual output of millions of tons of rice" announced by President Cabore through small-scale project construction, material donation and technical training. The technical assistance project team of the Vocational Training Center implements precise policies, adapts to local conditions, and carries out vocational skills training based on actual needs of the B&B, which has played a positive role in promoting local employment. The medical team vigorously carried out inspection tours and free medical consultations, continuously expanding the benefits and serving the local people. China has carried out "Bright Tour" free medical consultations in the country for two consecutive years.
In addition, China will further discuss cooperation projects with the Bangladesh in the fields of education, environmental protection, energy, telecommunications, etc., coordinate the participation of various entities such as local governments and private enterprises, as well as market-oriented funds such as commercial credit and enterprise investment, enrich the dimension of cooperation, and continuously create a new pattern of pragmatic cooperation between China and Bangladesh with a more comprehensive direction, deeper levels and wider fields.
Question: Are Chinese entrepreneurs interested in Laibu investment?
Li Jian: Yes. In the past three years since the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Burkina and Burkina Faso, Chinese entrepreneurs have paid great attention to the economic and social development of Burkina Faso. They actively participate in local economic and social cooperation and construction, and play an active role in improving development level and improving people's livelihood. At present, more than 20 Chinese companies have registered branches or set up offices to participate in local project construction, and a number of important projects such as medical, energy, transportation, and people's livelihood are also being promoted or negotiated.
Question: What areas do they are mainly interested in?
Li Jian: Agriculture, infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, etc. are key areas for China-Brazil to carry out mutually beneficial cooperation. Bu is a major agricultural country in the region, and Chinese companies are very concerned about Bu agricultural products exports, especially specialty agricultural products exports. At present, some Chinese companies are already conducting agricultural product processing business. Many Chinese-funded enterprises came to Bufa to explore the market before resuming the exchange, and engaged in business in Bufa to build infrastructure such as houses and roads and bridges, energy development and utilization such as electricity and water conservancy, telecommunications and communications, logistics and transportation, manufacturing, etc. In addition, relevant Chinese companies have expressed their willingness to invest in the fields of land surveying and mapping, medical devices, agricultural development, etc.
Question: How do you view the prospects of friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries?
Li Jian: In the past three years of resumption of diplomatic relations, China-Brazil cooperation has laid a good foundation. In the future, we should take the development direction of practicality, deepen and strengthen the development, focus on deepening the guidance of concepts, broaden the scope of cooperation, and take solidly promoting the implementation of large projects as the main axis, and continuously improve the visibility, coverage and benefit of the people in cooperation. First, strengthen policy docking. Deeply connect China's 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and the 2035 vision goals with the national development guidelines to find work entry points and focus points that are in line with the development interests of both sides. The second is to combine tradition with new fields. Continue to expand and strengthen cooperation in traditional fields, and at the same time promote expansion to emerging fields such as industrial chain and supply chain connectivity, digital economy, and green environmental protection. The third is to enrich the dimension of cooperation. Based on the existing cooperation model, local governments, private enterprises and other diverse entities in the two countries, as well as market-oriented funds such as commercial credit and enterprise investment, are encouraged to participate in cooperation. Continue to broaden the space for cooperation in areas such as culture and education, scientific research, and security, and build a comprehensive and multi-level three-dimensional cooperation pattern.
