Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) welcomed Mr. Sun Jiwen, a senior expert from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and former China’s Ambassador to the Gabonese Republic (Gabon) to campus.

He came to give the 211^th lecture in the SUSTech Lecture Series. Mr. Sun Jiwen gave a lecture entitled “China-Africa relations into a new era”.  The lecture was presided over by Dr. Li Ming, director of the Center for Higher Education Research.

Mr. Sun Jiwen is currently a senior expert in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a former deputy director of the Translation and Interpretation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, former Consul-general of China in Strasbourg, former Ambassador of China to the Gabonese Republic, and has held a variety of important positions at the United Nations and UN-affiliated bodies such as UNESCO.

Mr. Sun Jiwen talked about the history of China-Africa diplomacy, from the past to the future. Starting from Zheng He’s expedition, Mr. Sun Jiwen explained that a number of important periods have been devoted to developing and improving historical relations.

Mr. Sun Jiwen said China had cooperated with African countries in developing the health and agriculture sectors, and alleviating problems in food security problems and health care in Africa.

China has been sending medical teams for more than 50 years. It has established hospitals and anti-malarial centers in several African cities, as well as special medical assistance operations.

In 2015, 10 major plans have been rolled out to boost cooperation with Africa at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Johannesburg, South Africa. China also supports the implementation of major infrastructure projects such as high-speed rail, highways, dams, and airports in Africa.

Mr. Sun Jiwen pointed out that the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), held in Beijing in 2018, proposed the construction of a closer community of Central African destiny, and also put forward the “Beijing Action Plan (2019-2021).”

Mr. Sun Jiwen encouraged students to learn more knowledge and master a foreign language as a way to understand the world.

During the Q & A session, the students asked questions and exchanged their views with Mr. Sun Jiwen.