Joint action set to help modernise continent

China has announced a joint initiative with South Africa to support the modernisation of Africa through international cooperation that covers key areas ranging from finance and infrastructure to green industrialisation.

- By NDUMISO MLILO

Speaking at the launch ceremony of the initiative during the Group of 20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg on November 23, Miao Deyu, China's vice-foreign minister, said the initiative is an action to implement the G20 initiative on supporting industrialisation in Africa and the least developed countries.

China will support African countries to “independently explore modernisation paths” suited to their national conditions, Miao said.

Asakey effort to promote green industrialisation in Africa, China also signed an international economic and trade cooperation initiative on green mining, with signatories including Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, as well as the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation.