-- An Interview with Emmanuel MBA ALLO, Gabonese Ambassador to China

By YAN WEIJUAN & LI ZHIJIAN

President Hu Jintao meets with his Gabonese counterpart Ali Bongo Ondimba.      Cnsphoto

BEFORE leaving for Africa, we held an interview with Emmanuel MBA ALLO, Gabonese Ambassador to China, to talk about Sino-Africa and Sino-Gabon cooperation.

CIPG: During your tenure in China, which events have most impressed Your Excellency in terms of Sino-African cooperation?

Allo: Two events resonate deeply during my mission ending soon in China: the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit held in 2006 and the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

Aiming to give new momentum to China-Africa relations, the Chinese and African leaders established a new strategic partnership during the Beijing summit. The partnership is based on equality, political trust, mutually beneficial economic relations and cultural exchanges. All commitments advantageous to African development that were announced by Chinese President Hu Jintao at the summit have been achieved.

During the World Expo, China assisted African countries to participate in this grand event and showcase our culture and economic development.

CIPG: Do you think if African countries can use China's development model ?

Allo: Over the past 30 years, China has witnessed significant changes. Why and how has China made great achievements in such a short time?

Deng Xiaoping gave us the reason in one of his famous sayings – "wading through the river by feeling for stones." In other words, China has made its progress through learning from the experiences of other countries and adapting them to its own situation.

The rise of China calls for every African, including me, to take pause and think. Africa cannot imitate the Chinese model, but we can learn from your experience.

CIPG: As Gabon is developing, its relationship with China has turned from "brothers in adversity" to "strategic partners." How is Gabon going to take this opportunity to promote its cooperation with China?

Allo: The ties that have bound Gabon and China for 37 years are characterized by sincere friendship, trust and esteem. These three features are displayed in the dynamic and multifaceted cooperation between our two countries.

This cooperation was initiated and driven by the late Gabonese President Omar Bongo Ondimba, who made 11 visits to China and met with four generations of Chinese leaders. Ali Bongo Ondimba, the new president of Gabon, will continue and further develop cooperation in an all-round way.

The head of Gabon sees China as a partner of utmost priority, especially in its role as a supporter of Gabon's policy for the processing industry based on natural resources available in the country.

CIPG: As increasingly more Chinese enterprises are investing in Gabon, some Western countries have formed the opinion it represents "neocolonialism." What is Your Excellency's opinion?

Allo: China has achieved the world's most successful and remarkable development. Never before in human history has a country experienced so many transformations in such a short period.

The rise of a new giant that owns one fifth of the world's population inevitably invites worry, and even fear.

"China worries me," wrote French writer Marcel Proust when describing the Duchess of Guermantes in his book In Search of Lost Time. Today, many people are quoting this phrase when talking about China. However, China does not worry Africa because it always stands by Africa's side.

China is not a neocolonial power. On the international stage, it is an important force for preserving world peace, enhancing sustainable development and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation.

Chinese operations in Africa bring in more investment. This is good for all parties – African countries, China and Europe as well, for it allows competition.

CIPG: Do you see any difference between China-Africa and West-Africa cooperation?

Allo: Every Western country, or emerging country, is cooperating with African countries in their own way. Though they differ in methods, their goals remain the same: Africa's development. The partnership between Gabon and China is different from that between Gabon and other countries. I must point out that Gabon is engaged in cooperative relationships with countries on every continent based on mutual benefits and respect.

CIPG: Gabon is rich in timber resources. Last year, it changed its policy on timber exports. What kind of cooperation in this sector between Chinese enterprises and Gabon does Your Excellency expect to see?

Allo: Forest resources play an important role in the Gabonese economy. As soon as President Ali Bongo took office, he requested the discontinuation of log exports so as to attract timber entrepreneurs to set up wood processing plants inside the country. It is expected to create more jobs and increase the added value of wood through export of finished and semimanufactured products.

Gabon welcomes Chinese companies investing in the local timber processing industry and other forms of mutually beneficial cooperation.