African scholars call for ‘unbiased narrative’ on China

Published: August 27,2024

China’s approach ‘based on individual needs’

By Liu Caiyu

The 6th Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation and China-Africa Think Tank High-Level Dialogue. Photo: Liu Caiyu/GT

African scholars emphasized the importance of creating a comprehensive and unbiased narrative that portrays the stories of China-Africa cooperation at a forum in Beijing on Wednesday, noting that misleading Western voices have hindered the African people from getting to know the real China.

With the theme of “Join Hands in the Paths towards Modernization,” the 6th Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation and China-Africa Think Tank High-Level Dialogue was held in Beijing on Wednesday last week.  

The realization of modernization is an inherent requirement for the development of society, and also one of the topics that receives much attention and extensive discussion. In this context, it is gratifying that today, both China and Africa have such a platform to discuss the topic of modernization and consider how to explore the path to modernization that is in line with the national conditions of each country, GrégoireNdjaka, CEO of the African Union of Broadcasting, addressed the forum through video. 

In the view of the African Broadcasting Union, China is an indispensable and cooperative partner for African countries in the process of achieving modernization, Ndjaka said. 

However, the media presence in Africa challenged by the Western media dominance have hindered the African people from getting to know the real China and real nature of China-Africa cooperation, Qwesi Pratt JNR, director and founder of pan African television, told the Global Times at the forum. 

“The western media dominates in many African countries. Their narrative is aimed primarily at demonizing China, creating a very bad image of the country,” Pratt said. 

Unbiased voices are crucial in helping people in Africa recognize that China has been at the forefront in supporting Africans, Paul Frimpong, the Executive Director and Senior Research Fellow of the Africa-China Centre for Policy & Advisory, emphasized, warning against falling into misconceptions, particularly those propagated by the West, when discussing China-Africa relations.

Some Western media don’t want African people to see the Chinese example, which is “the example for the future,” said Adetoro Banwo, Deputy Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Lagos, at the forum. 

China’s approach to Africa is based on the individual needs and uniqueness of each nation, Banwoemphasized.

Fortunately, social media platforms have played a crucial role in providing us with the opportunity to share our experiences and perspectives on collaborating with China, Frimpong said.

globaltimes.cn