Volume 20: Looking at the World with Cold Eyes, Section 51, Second Station
"It's not that we can't imagine, but that we have some inertia that restricts our thinking. We always feel that some of our country's models are not adapted to when we are abroad. These are the results of long-term influence by European and American public opinion. In fact, if we carefully observe the development status of African countries, they are still very similar to those we were decades ago. Most of the political parties in these countries have gradually transformed from parties that tend to be left. Although they have become a multi-party system in the political system, the ruling, or those with greater influence and deeper influence, and are more adaptable to the national conditions are those who have developed from revolutionary parties. They are also like us before the reform and opening up, facing revolutionary parties from revolutionary parties.
The task of transforming into a ruling service-oriented party, and the models of European and American countries are not actually suitable for the African national conditions. African countries are actually becoming more and more aware of this. Whether it is a ruling party or an opposition party, if you want to adapt to the national conditions, you will face the important task of building a political party itself. In the reality of the national conditions where the people's ability to participate in politics and discuss politics is still relatively weak or the habit of participating in politics and discussing politics has not yet been fully developed, how to win the hearts of the people through the construction of their own political parties and realize representative governance is a problem before them. Therefore, our development over the past 30 years is actually a model for them. We have too many experiences for them to learn from in the process of reform and development."
Although Lu Weimin was a little tired, he was in good spirits. The contacts over the past few days have given Lu Weimin a deeper and more intuitive understanding of the national conditions of these African countries.
These countries are basically in development, with backward industrial economy, and the unemployment rate remains high, and food and basic daily necessities are difficult to support themselves. They rely mainly on international aid or export of mineral resources as the financial pillar. The people's emotions are also relatively complicated. They are eager to live a good life quickly, but they lack a clear path. Coupled with the special political and civil sentiment in Africa, especially the contradictions involving religion/tribal race, which are intertwined, which is even more difficult.
The biggest problem for the ruling party is how to solve the economic development problem. Only by solving this problem can the contradictions be fundamentally resolved.
The lag in industrial development will affect the quality of life of the people, and the difficulties in life will directly affect social stability.
Aid and support from Europe and the United States often attach some political and financial conditions, which is difficult for these countries where nationalist ideas are prevalent. The people of these countries that have only escaped from their colonial status are born with a sense of sensitivity, and this sensitivity is particularly strong in the elite class. Whether it is the ruling party or the opposition party, whether their ideas are left or right, they may attack each other during elections, but after taking office, they will not ignore various factors, so the contact and cooperation between the two sides are always bumpy.
China's influence in this region is constantly expanding, but it has not really won the recognition of these countries. This may have a lot to do with the long-term negative reporting of China's image over the years of European and American media opinions, and the media people in these countries have been more or less influenced by their European and American counterparts. This is also Lu Weimin hopes to eliminate the strangeness and distance between the two sides and enhance mutual understanding through continuous contact with the news media people in these countries. Lu Weimin firmly believes that with the continuous improvement of China's international status and economic strength, the economic exchanges with African countries are becoming increasingly close. With more commonalities in economic interests between the two sides, China, which has equal and mutually beneficial attitudes and mentality, can become a friend or even an ally in the minds of these countries.
Dou Qingwen nodded repeatedly about Lu Weimin's analysis. The new deputy minister was extremely fast in the state, and his profound understanding of this work was beyond Dou Qingwen's expectations. He has always been interested in information on political parties and social conditions in Africa. It can be said that over the past few months, he has been collecting and analyzing through various channels, and has often communicated with colleagues of the African Bureau. Some of the views raised have also surprised the colleagues of the African Bureau and had to admit that it is indeed very operational.
"I can feel that the Agriculture Group is very interested in your suggestion, which is stronger than simple communication training. They also realize this. Of course, from the teaching staff to the education mechanism, I guess the Agriculture Group is still inadequate. We need our support, but it is hard to say whether they have other concerns." Dou Qingwen raised his own concerns.
"Worry is certainly inevitable, but I believe that the Egyptian Growth Formation has the ability to distinguish right from wrong. Is it true that it is a friend who is sincerely good for you or someone with ulterior motives? I believe it can be seen over time, but we also need to prevent the deliberate slander of some people with ulterior motives. On this point, I have also exchanged opinions with the Egyptian Growth Formation. I also talked openly about the increase in personnel and material flows between the two sides, and there are 100 people, and there are all kinds of people. It is not ruled out that the people from our country also have some illegal and criminal personnel or people with poor quality. But these are very few and should not be a barrier to cooperation, exchange and development between the two sides. We should look at these issues dialectically... "
Lu Weimin is open to this. As a ruling party of a country, it is impossible to first consider its own national interests. It is impossible for China to deliberately make good use of it. Opposition parties are watching. Even if you are really considering the interests of the country, the other party must find ways to find some problems, let alone do things that harm the national interests. Therefore, it is unrealistic to rely on inter-party relations or morality, benevolence and righteousness. Everything needs to be considered around their respective national interests. This is true for them and China. Only when both sides feel that it is in line with their national interests can they form the most stable alliance.
Big countries have the ability to compete for hegemony, and small countries also have their way to survive. This is the real situation in this world.
"Lu Ministry, in short, I am very optimistic about this trip to Ethiopia. The effect may be beyond our imagination. I think the meeting with the news media people is also very effective. They are very interested in the changes in China and want to know how China has changed drastically in the past 30 years. What can their country learn from them? Almost every Ethiopian media person is asking me about these topics. I think inviting them to visit China and understand what China has done will have a good effect in improving their impression of our Chinese government and Chinese. We do not hide the problems we still have. This is the most real side. It can also make them realize that they will encounter these problems in the development of their country. What should their government and ruling party do? These problems need to be thought about by themselves."
Dou Qingwen was also very satisfied with the dialogue and exchanges in this aspect. The impression and evaluation of China and Chinese people in the African local media have always been complicated, with both positive praise and negative criticism and some unrealistic doubts and suspicions. The biggest reason for not understanding this issue is the biggest reason. Strengthening exchanges and communication between the two sides, especially actively allowing Ethiopian news media people to fully understand the current situation of China and let them tell ordinary Ethiopian people the true side of China, which will help eliminate some misunderstandings and dissatisfaction among the Ethiopian people about the Chinese government and the Chinese.
"Celebrating the article, it is always beneficial to exchange and understand, and we cannot put too much hope. This requires a process. However, Ethiopia is an important partner of China in Africa, and its cooperation will be closer in the future, so some work needs to be done ahead." Lu Weimin is also evaluating the results of this trip to Ethiopia. In general, the goal should be achieved. As for the specific effect, it still needs to be tested by time.
"That land department, wherever Djibouti..." Dou Qingwen was more concerned about the second stop, Djibouti. In Dou Qingwen's view, this stop may be the top priority of the delegation's trip to Africa. It is not about Djibouti's economic exchanges with China, but about Djibouti's special geographical location and its importance to China's naval fleet that is escorting activities in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
"Djibouti,..." Lu Weimin stood up, carried his hands on his back, and walked to the window. "It's hard to say, and only after contacting it will you know, but we always have to do it."
It only takes an hour to get from Addis Ababa to Djibouti. When Ethiopian Airlines' plane landed at Djibouti International Airport, it caught sight of a very shabby and small airport.
The situation in Djibouti is similar to what Lu Weimin imagined. It lacks resources and precipitation. The conditions for both industrial and mining and agriculture are not very good. Moreover, the population is less than one million, the consumption level is not high, and the market is small. For this country, what supports them are the three pillar industries, fishery, animal husbandry, and the services brought to the needs of the US-French base and its family members stationed here, as well as port services. (To be continued.)