China is a beacon of hope, says Kabimba

China is a beacon of hope, says Kabimba
By Moses Kuwema
Tue 19 June 2012, 13:24 CAT

PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba says China is a beacon of hope outside the traditional development models that have so far been prescribed for Africa.

Speaking at the opening of the China-Africa young leaders' forum in Beijing yesterday, Kabimba said it was this development path which made China relevant to Africa today.

"China has set a clear example for the world that social and economic development is within the reach of every country including the continent of Africa," Kabimba said.

He said China had continued to identify itself with Africa in its struggle to eradicate poverty, hunger, diseases like malaria and HIV and AIDS, the development of infrastructure, promotion of food security and the challenges posed by climate change.

And Kabimba said the forum would be failing in its objectives if it did not highlight the challenges of the African youth within the social and political context of the problem.

He said African youth face multiple challenges, which include among others, the educational curriculum which had limited relevance to their social and political environment, limited opportunities for secondary school and tertiary education.

Kabimba said the global world today possessed more challenges to the youth of China and Africa than it did to the outgoing generations of the two.

He said African youths should understand that the plight of the continent's social and economic underdevelopment was a political question, which called for their proactive action and active participation.

"The youth must realise without delay that their social and political consciousness is a catalyst and central to their self-identity. That social injustice is not natural but a designed phenomenon and an instrument of domination by the designer," Kabimba said.

He said China could assist Africa to grow economically by helping to exploit the continent's natural resources in the interest and to the benefit of its citizens.

Kabimba said the forum was of great significance to Africa and China because of the historical role, which China had continued to play in Africa politically and economically.

Kabimba is accompanied to the forum by PF deputy national youth chairman Geoffrey Chumbwe, Lusaka Province youth chairman Kennedy Kamba, Allan Mwewa, the PF district chairman for Kitwe, Mbala PF district secretary Hilda Banda, Patrick Nyirenda, the political secretary for Lundazi and Mwiche Sinkolongo from Choma.