ADDIS ABABA, May 17 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) and Chinese officials attending the China-Africa Educational Cooperation Seminar called for promoting high-quality education in Africa to help the continent bring about tangible economic and social transformation.
The seminar, held on Friday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, brought together AU Commission officials, African leaders in the education sector, members of the Chinese Mission to the AU, academia, and experts, among others. The seminar focuses on how China can further help Africa meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the AU's 50-year continental development blueprint, Agenda 2063.
Speaking on the occasion, AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Mohammed Belhocine said the seminar helps deepen China-Africa cooperation in the education sector and enhance people-to-people connectivity.
"By working together, we can build a high-quality China-Africa community with a shared future, one that is characterized by mutual understanding, respect, and a deep commitment to the holistic development of our people," Belhocine said.
Noting that technical and vocational education plays a key role in achieving the SDGs and Agenda 2063, Belhocine called on China to further expand its vocational education and training programs in Africa to equip the youth with the necessary skills and competencies to contribute to the continent's economic development.
"I commend the Chinese Mission to the AU for its commitment to promoting the China-Africa cooperation, by bringing to limelight the strong support given to African education development to help Africa train much-needed talents in line with the economic and social development needs of the continent," he said.
The seminar highlighted that the key to the development and rejuvenation of China and Africa lies in turning their huge population into valuable human resources through high-quality education.
For his part, Hu Changchun, head of the Chinese Mission to the AU, said as Africa's comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly supports the AU in achieving its goals and strengthens cooperation with Africa in the education and capacity-building sectors.
"China set up an educational trust fund under UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) to provide training for more than 10,000 teachers in Africa since 2012. The two sides have established 67 Confucius Institutes and 10 Confucius Classrooms in Africa. With more than 50,000 African students coming to China every year, China has become a desired study destination for more young Africans," Hu said.
The AU has designated 2024 as the Year of Education, which reflects the determination and ambition of the member states to promote economic and social transformation, improve people's well-being, and achieve Agenda 2063 through education reform.
Hu said China will continue to work closely with Africa to strengthen high-quality education cooperation in a bid to promote common development, accelerate exchanges and mutual learning, and enhance people-to-people bonds.
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