Reshaping the economic landscape

Enhanced economic cooperation, increased foreign direct investment and environmental sustainability are what China and Africa can reap from BRI

China and Africa's relations stem from a long yet solid history of connectivity driven mainly, but not solely, by economic trade and cooperation. These relations have amplified and grown stronger in recent years, due to factors such as the constant development of technology and increasing levels of investment. The steadily deepening relationship between Africa and China is not limited to economic cooperation but political engagement as well. This, with a focus on mutual interest and sustainable development, has led to a more thorough and strategic partnership.

One entity that epitomizes the deepening of ties between China and the rest of the world, including Africa, is the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China in 2013.

Relations between Morocco and China have grown steadily since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1958. They are based on mutual trust, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and effective solidarity. In recent years, especially following H.M. King Mohammed VI's visit to Beijing in May 2016, Morocco and China have committed to further strengthening multilateral cooperation through the establishment of an institutionalized strategic partnership. This will help strengthen and consolidate political dialogue between the two countries, increase trade and encourage investment.

Since its establishment, the Belt and Road Initiative has had a significant impact on China and Morocco's relations and development. Morocco has been an active participant in the initiative, viewing it as an opportunity to strengthen its economy and infrastructure. The initiative has also promoted cultural exchanges, which has improved mutual understanding and trust. Overall, the initiative has benefited China-Morocco relations and development by encouraging cooperation and partnership between the two countries.

Morocco and China have recently increased their economic collaboration and partnership. Both countries have made investments in infrastructure, energy and trade. It has aided their economic growth and development. One of the most prominent examples of economic collaboration between China and Morocco is the Tangier Med port, which is one of the largest in Africa and was built with Chinese assistance. This port has become an important hub for trade between Africa, Europe and Asia, facilitating Morocco's economic progress.

Furthermore, China and Morocco have signed a number of trade agreements and initiatives that focus on strengthening their economic ties. China and Morocco struck a free trade agreement in 2016, making it easier for the two countries to interchange goods and services. Furthermore, China has emerged as one of Morocco's primary suppliers of items such as machinery, electronics, and textiles. China has also invested in renewable energy projects in Morocco, and Chinese businesses are present in projects such as the Noor Ouarzazate solar complex, one of the world's largest solar power plants. This project has helped reduce Morocco's reliance on fossil fuels, allowing the country to become an African pioneer in renewable energy.

By establishing networks for transportation, electricity and connectivity, the Belt and Road Initiative seeks to improve and enhance infrastructure in the participating countries. These initiatives will boost cultural contacts between China and the participating nations as well as economic growth and connectivity. In this context, the Belt and Road Initiative has made remarkable progress in several areas. An example would be Kenya's Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, a crucial part of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, that was finished in 2017. Almost 480 kilometers separate Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, from the port city of Mombasa on the coast of the Indian Ocean. Apart from playing a significant role in enhancing transits and connectivity between Mombasa and Nairobi, the railway has also brought down transportation cost, as the earlier mode of transportation, by road, was costly, slow and unsafe. The railway has also contributed to the sustainable development of Kenya by boosting economic growth, which is an illustration of overall development and amplification of trade between China and Africa.

One of the key advantages of the Belt and Road Initiative in the African context would be how it has increased investment in infrastructure. Through investing in telecommunication, energy and transportation networks, the initiative can help realize mutual economic growth in Africa and China. It will also support sustainable development by the way it addresses environmental issues and sustainable agriculture as well as trade, cultural exchange and employment. It is, therefore, an effective pathway toward a deeper, stronger relationship between China and Africa as well as other regions. Additionally, and over the past two decades, Africa has become one of the most dynamic regions in the world for international affairs.

Africa offers a wide range of characteristics that are well aligned with China's economic and strategic goals, as defined in the Belt and Road Initiative: it is a raw material-rich continent; the infrastructure needs are colossal; the African economies, traditionally outward and dependent on the rest of the world (in terms of access to finance as well as technology and know-how), are welcoming for international investors; finally, the African population is growing much faster than anywhere else in the world.

This Chinese project is, first, an opportunity to strengthen economic cooperation between Africa and China. In recent years, China has become Africa's major trading partner, and the Belt and Road Initiative can help improve this relationship by strengthening investment and trade between the two sides. The construction of transport infrastructure, such as ports, airports and railways, can facilitate trade and strengthen regional integration in Africa.

In addition, the Belt and Road Initiative can help boost foreign direct investment in Africa, which is crucial for the continent's sustainable development. Infrastructure projects under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative can create jobs and boost economic growth while improving the accessibility of rural areas and poorly served communities in Africa. This can help reduce poverty and improve the quality of life for local populations.

Finally, the initiative can contribute to enhancing environmental sustainability in Africa. By investing in clean energy projects and other sustainable technologies, China can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote environmental sustainability in Africa. The initiative-backed sustainable development projects can help strengthen local communities' resilience to the effects of climate change and promote green economic growth.

Since its inception in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative has earned the trust of many nations and has the potential to reshape the economic and political landscape of the region. It is appropriate to mention that the initiative has many benefits for the relationship between Africa and China and for the sustainable development of the continent. Enhanced economic cooperation, increased foreign direct investment, and environmental sustainability are among the many benefits that both sides can reap from the initiative.

The author is founder and president of the Amadeus Institute, the Kingdom of Morocco. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

MA XUEJING/CHINA DAILY