China’s Global Civilization Initiative:  What is in it for Africa?

Let me give myself the liberty to divert a bit from my title :I am not a regular church goer but when I go I pay  attention to a preacher’s non-traditional sermon. It is on this ground that I have never forgotten a sermon by The Bishop of Kagbayi his eminence bishop Semargide at a family’s kwibuka, remembering the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

The bishop narrated a conversation between him and a Hutu peasant named Ruhaya, who took so much risk to save Tutsi victims when he himself could have been killed for such humanitarian cause. What surprised the man of God was that such noble person had never bothered to be baptized. He curiously asked for explanation, and Ruhaya’s explanation and I quote, “I got married to a woman I loved and still love. Unfortunately, she was not able to get children. With her consent I married a second wife who has given me several children. When I wanted to get baptized the church gave conditions that I must divorce one of the women so that I and the other woman are baptized and receive the marital sacrament in the church. Now my bishop, just tell me what kind of religion is this that advises me to commit such a treachery? What kind of religion is that recommends that I hurt some who has never hurt me” that is why I have never been baptized.

It is not mine to judge whose moral values are higher between Mr. Ruhaya and the church. It is left to the readers to pass judgment. I wish to point out however, that Kinyarwanda culture allowed polygamy, and that Rwandans value having children. Here was a clear crush of Christian/western civilization versus Rwandan values and civilization. 

Respect for the diversity of values and civilizations

Just over two years ago, March 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) following the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative. the initiative, as Xi pointed out in his speech then, advocates respect for the diversity of civilizations, the common values of humanity, the importance of inheritance and innovation of civilizations, as well as robust international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. Note “respect for the diversity of civilizations.”

In contrast, 120 years ago, the west imposed on us their civilization including religion that assumes that their way is superior to ours. It is this assumed superiority of certain civilizations that has led to clash of civilizations. On the other hand what president Xi is promoting is   upholding the principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness among civilizations. It emphasizes the importance of cultural understanding exchanges, mutual learning that go belong clashes, promote coexistence transcending feelings of superiority.

Imperialism came with imperial orders or decrees, and punishment for non adherence. For example, in my country Rwanda, during colonialism a Rwandan colonial employee, could lose a job not out of performance but because he, (it was always a he), by simply deserting from the Catholic Church!  Empires rule by decrees and dictate what is civilized and not civilized.

The GCI on the other hand, is neither a doctrine nor an imperial decree. It is not an imposition of ideology. It is   an approach that seeks to devise a course toward mutual respect and coexistence.  An approach that acknowledges the need and necessity of the interdependent world we live in today. The world cannot continue to exist on “We decide and others follow”.  It champions the view that no civilization is superior or inferior; they’re just different, with their unique values, circumstances and traditions. Thus Ruhaya does not have to divorce the wife who out of misfortune failed to get children nor divorce the one with children just because a foreign religion and cultures forbids him to have two wives.

GCI recognizes that all civilizations are equal despite the differences and diversity.  In the end civilization aspires to taking good care of its people. That is why civilization goes hand in hand with people’s welfare. Civilization and governance ought to aim at improving people’s well-being. Thus by advocating for respect for the for diversity of civilization; China is, as has been in the past, ready to deal with Africa as an adult. Neither children to be lectured to, nor blinds that need to be sleep walked across development boulevards.

 Years of wars, so called World Wars, dominating the world by the global north, were replaced by cold wars. Africans were simple pawn on the west- east chess board. African leaders were always asked, “are you pro west or pro east”? no one asked any African leader whether he was pro Africa.

The GCI supports a more balanced, multipolar global order

A balanced Multi polar world is well articulated by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who said that, “An equal multipolar world means equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal rules for every nation. Certain or a few powers should not monopolize international affairs. Countries should not be categorized according to their “strength.” Those with the bigger fist should not have the final say. And it is definitely unacceptable that certain countries must be at the table while some others can only be on the menu. It must be ensured that all countries, regardless of their size and strength, are able to take part in decision-making, enjoy their rights, and play their role as equals in the process toward a multipolar world.”

We would have expected that this western attitude would have ended with the cold war. However, since the end of the Cold War, wars and conflicts have erupted in Africa, with the cunning support of the former colonial masters. A case in point is Libya, one of the   citizens’ interest-oriented countries, yet with the support of US and EU, the Libyan pro-people leader Muammar Gadhafi was brutally murdered and the country was reduced to a failed state.

To set the records straight, no single Chinese bomb has landed on Africa soil, what has landed in Africa are bridges, railways and roads.

The GCI provides a platform for Africa to advocate development models rooted in its own values and priorities. Landlocked Rwanda at heart of Africa has her own needs different form Senegal at the Atlantic oceanic.  Each with her disadvantages and advantages. Rwanda for example, lacks access to the ocean, but has a huge advantage of the fact that the entire country has one language that facilitates easy communication for development.

GCI and South-South Cooperation

Through respect to other people’s culture and cultural exchanges, the GCI will enhance cooperation with China and other developing countries to address shared development and security challenges.

Contrary to falsely held belief China has some 56 ethnic groups. It is thanks to the great leadership of the communist party of China that the majoring ethnic groups have not marginalized minority groups but have built a united China. Africa and the global South could learn from China, on how diverse people have been able to coexists and develop together.

Africa is a rich culture which has unfortunately been eroded by centuries of western domination, western media, western Hollywood culture and I dare say pornography. The GCI will offer greater opportunities to showcase African cultures globally, increasing soft power and global influence.

China’s commitment to cultural exchanges and dialogue through initiatives like the Third Dialogue on Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Civilizations reinforces its dedication to cooperation and mutual understanding. Its approach is both complimentary and, to a little extent, in competition with existing post-WWII order institutions. Countries that vary from one another in social system, stages of development, historical and cultural background and values, have the right to choose their own approaches and models in promoting and protecting human rights in their own countries.  Human rights should not be politicized as is often done by the West, and above all is should not be selective. Imposition of human rights conditionality on economic assistance should be vigorously opposed in any case depriving a people economic development is the worse human rights abuse. China’s ability to ensure a safe and stable internal and external environment reflects a nation’s governance effectiveness.

China has showed Africa and the entire global south that, it is important for a civilization to safeguard its people’s right to life and development. China’s people-centric development path has proved that wars and exploitation are not the world’s determinant factors. You can bomb a nation to submission, but centuries later they will rebel, reorganize and rebuild.  In conclusion, the GCI advocates the importance of inheritance and innovation of civilizations. Countries need to fully harness the relevance of their histories and cultures to the present times and no people should think or believe that their culture is superior to others. GCI therefore, advocates for global civilization unity in diversity. 

Mweusi Karake is a Regional Integration Advocate based in Kigali Rwanda