The five principles of peaceful coexistence: Catalyst of Africa’s development
AFRICA: THE rise of Global South in general and China in particular, underpinned by the Five Principles, has ushered in cooperation platforms and institutional frameworks in which the voice(s) of cooperation party is heard, contrary to those of the western countries, where such voices are suffocated through imposition of conditionalities; disregard of diversities in culture, civilizations, geography and level of development.
Indeed, as we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the implementation of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, it quite appropriate to take stock of how they have spearheaded African’s social and economic development.
It needs to be recalled that the Five Principles are the following: Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-aggregation, mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and cooperation for mutual benefit and peaceful co-existence.
To the extent that the cooperation platforms (PTs) between China and other countries are either regional specific, such as Forum for China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) or broader such as Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Their main objectives have been those of promoting; trade, both goods and services; foreign direct investment (FDI); development aid and people to people exchanges.
Generally, one of the unique characteristics of the platforms for cooperation is that they are non-bureaucratic. Hence, consultative through holding of scheduled summits and ministerial conferences whose decisions are dutifully implemented. This in turn, promotes the spirit of ownership and partnership among the cooperating parties.
Further, in this regard, we can claim with confidence that China has, consistently and unwaveringly, adhered to the Five Principles, without resorting to either hypocrisy or application of double standards as is the case for some countries.
Indeed, to the extent that the cooperation platforms are well aligned with individual African Countries’ Development Vision and Plans (Kenya Vision 2030; Tanzania Vision 2025, etc); coupled with those of Regional Groupings, such as East Africa Community (EAC), Southern African Development Community (SADC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS), as well as Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
To that effect, most African countries have been quite pro-active in embracing the cooperations platforms, and by doing so their societies have realized remarkable social and economic outcomes.
This is evident, among others, through the mushrooming of BRI-led projects in Africa, ranging from infrastructure (both hard and soft), manufacturing, special economic zones (SEZs), agriculture, education, public health, energy, vocational training to cultural institutions (Sport- stadiums and 57 Confucius institutes).
In a nutshell, the impact of the above enumerated projects has been positive as shown: the pre-Covid-19 economic growth rates increased averaging 3.4 per cent, while some regions, EA had even higher rate at 6.5 per cent, trade volume between China and Africa was USD 204.2 billion, an increase of 19.7 per cent in 2018, Chinese investments in Africa skyrocketed to USD 2 billion in 2019.
This is due to an improved investment climate (6,000kms of railways, over 6,000kms of roads, 60 ports and 80 large-scale power plants), employment creation has also increased (local labor content 89 per cent). For example, in Tanzania, it has created more than 14,000 jobs, while the level of industrialisation has increased in terms of its contribution to GDP, given that, 60 per cent of Chinese investments are manufacturing, likewise, human development capacity has been enhanced through grants of scholarships (over 50,000 students), on-job training and improved health services (23,000 doctors on Chinese medical teams), poverty reduction rates have been accelerated.
Moreover, avenues for financial resource mobilisation (China Exim bank CDB, AIIB, etc.) have been broadened.
The positive enumerated impact notwithstanding, there are challenges facing African countries in effectively seizing the unfolding opportunities embedded in the cooperation platforms.
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These range from: low level of public awareness; geo-politics of competition and rivalry, some western scholars’ express misgivings and skepticism about the projects (China’s credit imperialism; China’s colonisation of Africa; debt trap; etc.); high debt to GDP ratios dampen a country’s appetite to join the initiative; Africa lacks the institutional and human capacity to coordinate multiplicity of global, continental and regional development framework (the feeling of overstretched capacities); Africa’s weak negotiation capacity, this is not inherent but depends on nature-cum-capacity of leadership; to agriculture not given its deserved attention and priority.
Surely, we are confident that these challenges are surmountable for one basic reason. During his speech to the Conference Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence on 28th June 2024, President Xi Jinping, firstly, committed himself to better support Global South Cooperation through various initiatives, such as the intent to establish a Global South Research Center, launch a Global South Youth Leader Development Fund, among others.
Secondly, he resolved to stay on the path of peaceful development, develop friendship and cooperation with all countries and promote common development across the world.
President Xi Jinping’s visionary address is profound in thought and rich in connotation. Informed by history and oriented toward the future, it fully expounds on the essence and relevance of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Noting the momentous transformation of the world, it points the direction of building a community with a shared future for mankind and sends a powerful message of the Global South working together with people across all countries working together for a better future.
This important address reaffirms China’s commitment to the path of peaceful development, elevates the Vision of Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind to a new height, and inspires China and the world to redouble efforts in their joint pursuit of development and prosperity.
The address fully demonstrates President Xi Jinping’s deep commitment to the world and strong sense of responsibility for history as the leader of a major party and a major country. It represents the latest development of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and provides strategic and scientific guidance for us to draw historic wisdom from the Five Principles and build consensus on tackling the problems and challenges facing the world today.
The foregoing commitments and resolutions are a clear manifestation of China’s sustenance to uphold the Five Principles. This offers great hope for future cooperation arrangements. Indeed, this being the case, Africa and other developing countries, should continue to seize the unfolding opportunities availed by the cooperation platforms and institutional frameworks, with a view to accelerate the speed of achieving their development aspirations.
The writer is a Professor of Economics and Founding Director Centre for Chinese Studies (CCS) at the University of Dar-es-Salaam.
