Chinese author LI Anshan, beautifully used the similarities between the ‘Scramble for Africa’ in 1881 and the ‘Scramble for China’ in 1898 to reiterate the special bond between Ghana and China.
‘’Africa and China shares similar history of foreign invasion in the 1800s; that is the scramble for Africa has similarities with the scramble for China. The China-Africa relations has three phases, ancient, modern and contemporary. In 1993, Austrian archaeologists discovered the fibre of worm-silk in the hair of a female corpse of the 21st Dynasty (1070-945. B.C.) in Egypt. At the time, only China had the technology of producing silk’’ LI Anshan said.
He made these comments during an virtual symposium organised by the Embassy of Ghana in Beijing to climax the sixtieth (60th) anniversary celebrations of diplomatic relations between Ghana and China.
‘’The anti-British Resistance that occurred in Ghana between 1806-1900 and led to Asantehene Prempeh being exiled to Sychelles, is so similar to what happened in China in 1900 when eight (8) countries used their foreign armies to supress the Chinese Resistance. We are connected by our shared history’’ he said.
He also mentioned that, four basic facts account for the contemporary relationship between Africa and China.
‘’The fast paced development that went on in China which makes China the new choice for Africa to forge bilateral relations, China’s massive investment in infrastructure in Africa, Africa’s open and sincere response. The Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) has encouraged pragmatic cooperation, equality and mutual benefit between China and Africa.
FOCAC has also strengthened the consultation and expanded cooperation. In addition, it promotes both political dialogue and economic cooperation and trade, with a view to seeking mutual reinforcement and common development’’ he said.
The virtual symposium which was organised under the auspices of H.E. Ambassador Edward Boateng and had H.E. Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia; Vice President of the Republic of Ghana as the Guest of honour and Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey; Ghanaian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration as the Guest Speaker.
Other speakers at the august event included Amb. Lin Song Tian President of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Prof. Liu Haifang; Director -Centre for African Studies and Associate Professor, School of International Studies Peking University. The CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Mr. Yoofi Grant was also present.
The virtual Symposium was under the theme 60 Years of Ghana-China Diplomatic Relations: A journey worth celebrating and pondering.
By: Bridget Mensah
