Editor's Note: Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), China has worked with all other countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind, which has boosted confidence and added impetus for development of Asia and the world. For the celebration of the 100th funding anniversary of the CPC, we are launching the “CPC in eyes of foreign military students” series, viewing China and CPC from the perspective of foreign soldiers.
By Kané Adama
I had developed an indissoluble bond with China before I set foot on Chinese soil.
Bamako, the capital of Mali, is where I live. The wide and calm Niger River runs through Bamako and divides the city into two parts connected by the majestic Bamako Third Bridge spanning the Niger River. My home and workplace are on the opposite sides of the river. For work, I have to cross the Bamako Third Bridge every day, which makes the bridge very familiar to me. The municipal construction and economic development of Bamako have also greatly benefited from the bridge. Being a China-aid project, the bridge has another name, the China-Mali Friendship Bridge. In this way, China appeared to me as a friendly country in cooperation with Mali.
In 2019, I came to China and received training at the PLA Army Logistics University. The friendliness of the Chinese people around me made me feel so familiar. In class the instructors would always listern to our opinions about the teaching contents and exchanged views with us foreign military students on an equal and friendly basis.
Such deep-rooted friendliness comes from the consistent sense of internationalism carried on by the Communist Party of China (CPC). It is the CPC that led the Chinese people to fight against oppression and aggression, and establish a New China. From pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace to building a community with a shared future for mankind, the CPC has always demonstrated a profound sense of internationalism. Since its founding 100 years ago, the CPC has been sticking to the pursuit of happiness for the Chinese people, rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, and also the common good for the world, thus making notable contributions to human civilization and progress.
To unite against oppression and discrimination is the common aspiration of the African people. Last year, an African-American named George Floyd was killed by a US policeman who pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck as Floyd said he couldn’t breathe, which led to Floyd's death. This incident shocked the world. I could empathize with the pain brought by oppression and discrimination.
But in China, I feel totally different. While promoting its own national economic development, China also assists Mali in industrial development, for example, China built sugar factories for Mali, and sent experts to Mali to teach local people sugarcane planting techniques. In addition, various China-aid infrastructures can be seen on the African continent, which has helped greatly in developing local economy and improving local people's livelihood. My personal experience with China has shown me the true connotation of friendly exchanges. All countries can completely abandon discrimination and oppression and pursue common development that rises above differences over ideologies and values.
Equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation are not only derived from the traditional thinking of the Chinese nation but also from the sense of internationalism of the CPC. Although the times are different, this sense remains the same. The exchanges between China and African countries are sincere and pragmatic. I believe that China and Africa will join hands to achieve win-win cooperation and write more stories about China-Africa friendly cooperation in the future.
(This article is based on an interview by the PLA Daily with Captain Kané Adama assigned to Malian Armed Forces, who had once studied at China's PLA Army Logistics University.)
