LUSAKA, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- It is evident that Africa-China ties are yielding tangible and visible results, a Zambian expert in international relations said Monday.
"Indeed, the cooperation between Africa and China has been beneficial. Of course, China has got its own interests, but those interests are not at the expense of the African interests," John Bwalya, a professor with the Dag Hammarskjold Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies at the Copperbelt University, said in an interview.
He said China's contribution to the continent is seen in its support of the African Union through the construction of the ultra-modern conference center in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa and in its support of African countries like Zambia, which have benefited immensely.
China, he said, has played a pivotal role in the development of the African continent without attaching any strings or conditionalities.
According to him, China has not only supported infrastructure development on the continent but helped tackle some of the challenges, such as health problems, by completing the construction of the headquarters of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
China is also one of the first countries to support Africa's bid to join the G20, he said, adding that joining the G20 was vital because it would afford Africa an opportunity to sit at the same table with superpowers and make contributions to global affairs.
He further said China's assistance to Africa was historical as the Asian nation supported independence and liberation struggles on the continent.
"In our relations with China, there are no threats of war, threats of invasion, or threats of takeover as the bilateral ties are built on mutual trust," he added. ■