An esteemed international Scholar and Deputy Director-General at the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies (IWASS) at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Professor Wang Xiaoming has emphasized the significance of China-Africa collaborations for sustainable development of both regions.
The position was made by Professor Wang Xiaoming during the 17th China-Africa Lecture recently hosted by the Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos. With the theme: Chinese Modernization and the Development of Africa, the lecture featured presentations by a vast array of personalities including academics drawn from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
These academics include Prof. Wang Xiaoming, Deputy Director-General, the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies (IWAAS) Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS)-Vice President, the China-Africa Institute (CAI)-Professor and Master Supervisor of University of CASS); Prof. Wang Yongzhong, Research Fellow-Director of Department of International Commodity, Institute of World Economics and Politics (IWEP), Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS)-Professor and PhD Supervisor at UCASS; Associate Prof. Huang Juan, Deputy Dean, School of Government of the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (UCASS); ZHAO Yating, Assistant Research Fellow of IWAAS, CASS and the China-Africa Institute among others.
Delivering a thought-provoking address, Professor Wang Xiaoming also underscored the importance of mutual cooperation and shared development between China and Africa. She highlighted key areas such as infrastructure development, technological innovation, and economic reforms as essential components for fostering growth and prosperity in both regions.
Professor Wang Xiaoming enumerated the need for collaborative efforts in addressing common challenges faced by China and Africa, including poverty alleviation, environmental sustainability, and social equity. Her insightful analysis provided a comprehensive framework for understanding the dynamics of Sino-African relations within the context of modernization and development.
In her presentation, the Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China, Ms Yan Tuqing, highlighted the deep-rooted historical ties between China and Africa, dating back centuries.
Ms Yan Tuqing emphasized the importance of mutual respect, equality, and win-win cooperation in strengthening the China-Africa partnership. According to her, Professor Xiaoming’s presence at the University of Lagos underscored the significance of academic collaboration in advancing mutual understanding and progress between diverse regions of the world.
Similarly, Deputy Dean, School of Government of the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (UCASS), Professor Huang Juan who spoke on the sub-theme: Governance, Modernization and its implications for Africa Development, identified improved governance as a positive social implication that can enhance service delivery in areas such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development.
According to him, “modernizing governance structures can lead to better resource allocation, resulting in improved access to essential services for citizens. Furthermore, inclusive governance practices that involve marginalized groups can contribute to social cohesion and inclusivity’’.
Earlier in his remarks, the Dean, Faculty of Arts, Professor Akanbi M. Ilupeju described the forum as a reiteration of the commitment of UNILAG to fostering a culture of academic development and staff exchanges with its international partners.
Professor Ilupeju who also served as the Vice-Chancellor’s representative at the Lecture, expressed gratitude to the Chinese entourage for its support to the University through the Confucius Institute, Institute of African China Relations Office, and several multiple staff and student exchanges.
His words, “.. all of these have created important avenues for intellectual exchange and knowledge sharing, contributing to a deeper understanding of the multifaceted relationship between China’s modernization endeavors and Africa’s developmental aspirations.
Similarly, a beneficiary of one of the staff exchange programmes, Dr. Banwo Adetoro of the Department of Linguistics, African and Asian Studies shared his experience while on one of the exchange programme.
Dr. Banwo Adetoro who is the current Deputy Director of the Confucius Institute, UNILAG noted that the exchange opportunity provided him and other beneficiaries’ access to diverse learning experiences and perspectives.
The lecture which featured a question and answer session, concluded with a vote of thanks from the Head of Department, Linguistics, African and Asian Studies, Professor C.B Nnabuihe who expressed hope for continued collaboration between the University of Lagos and Chinese institutions.
Earlier, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa had received the Chinese delegation led by the Consul-General, Professor Yan Yuqing during a courtesy call on the 10th Floor, Senate House. The delegation was accompanied by the Director of International Relations Partnership and Prospects (IRPP), Professor Ismail Ibraheem; Dean of Faculty of Arts, Professor Akanbi M. Ilupeju; Directors and Deputy Director of Confucius Institute, UNILAG, Professors Obi Iwuagwu and Zhao Hongling, and Dr. Banwo Adetoro; Head of Department of LAAS, Professor C. B Nnabuihe among others.
