CRI听力:Beijing holds 9th Africa-China Poverty Reduction and Development Conference

The ongoing China-Africa Poverty Reduction and Development Conference is examining topics such as agriculture, infrastructure, special economic zones, and industrial development and how these things can help to reduce poverty.

This latest round of cooperation is part of a years-long effort which has included the International Poverty Reduction Centre. 

With the theme "Belt and Road" and China-Africa Poverty Reduction Cooperation," over 300 government officials, scholars, entrepreneurs and representatives from international organizations gathered together to share poverty reduction experiences and discuss poverty reduction cooperation.

Liu Yongfu with the State Council's Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development said that eliminating poverty and achieving sustainable development were the shared goal of the Chinese and African peoples. 

He said African countries are important participants of the the Belt and Road Initiative. 

He noted the infrastructure and capacity cooperation fit with the goals of Africa's Agenda 2063.

Nicholas Rosellini, United Nations Resident Coordinator in China, says that he believes that the Belt and Road initiative shares a similar vision as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

"The 2030 Agenda is a universal plan of action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. It emphasize that poverty reduction must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth that address social needs including education, health, social protection, and generates jobs and livelihoods, while ensuring environmental protection. At the same time, the spirit of the BRI is to promote win-win cooperation, common development and prosperity, peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, and mutual understanding and trust. 

As evident, this vision is to a large extent in line with that of the 2030 Agenda."

Madam Sacko, the Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union, said that many African countries are among the most affected globally by food insecurity.

The continent is still struggling to transform its young growing labor force and rising middle class. 

However, through the cooperation between the African Union and China, the situation is changing.

"There has been transfer of technology, enhanced human capacity through exchange visits of African experts to China, and technical assistance from China covering crop planting, pest and disease prevention and control, agricultural product processing, livestock breeding and fish farming. We have also noted growing private investments in medium to large scale farms."

The three-day conference is organized by China's State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development. 

After the meeting, the delegates will go on a field trip to Bijie, Guizhou Province, to visit poverty reduction projects including infrastructure development, ecological tourism, and vocational training.