Africans urged to embrace technology and artificial intelligence for economic growth

In collaboration with the University of Johannesburg, China Media Group hosted The Global Media Dialogue themed ‘South Africa: Opportunities Arising from New Quality Productive Forces’, aimed at highlighting innovative co-operation between China and South Africa.

The insightful seminar took place at UJ’s School of Tourism and Hospitality meeting room, on July 24, with numerous experts and scholars sharing their views and insights on the designated topic.

The students heeded the call and graced the event, which was honoured by the presence of Wu Peng, the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to South Africa.

Shen Haixiong, the president and Editor-in-Chief of the China Media Group, opened the seminar with a video speech, underscoring that Chinese modernisation has been significantly advanced through comprehensive reforms and opening up within China.

“Chinese President Xi Jinping said, before opening up, China is the second revolution if you like, has not only profoundly changed the country, but also greatly influenced the whole world,” he said.

Haixiong emphasised the critical need for the comprehensive deepening of reforms in China’s new era, highlighting the importance of fully advancing national rejuvenation and building a great country through modernisation efforts.

“It will surely provide a global boost in exploring paths to modernisation and better social systems, offering new opportunities, and injecting new momentum for the development of all countries.

“As the world’s largest comprehensive media conglomerate, and with the largest portfolio of media and related businesses and the widest coverage, China Media Group has been striving to tell stories of China’s reform and opening up, telling the stories of Chinese modernisation, and actively building bridges and ties for exchanges, dialogues, and mutual learning between China and the world,” Haixiong said.

Wu Peng, newly appointed as the Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, underscored the importance of partnership between the two nations.

“We believe that not only the long history of support but currently we are South Africa’s big investor economy partner and I think that is the importance of the two countries. Of course, I hope South Africa also regards China as another option for economic growth,” Peng told the media.

When questioned about key sectors that could enhance partnerships and connections in the African continent, he said, “For example green energy, infrastructure, and of course agriculture, because we imported a lot of agriculture products in South Africa in recent years.

“We looking forward to more products. We already have manufacturing factories in the country and create jobs. I encourage more Chinese potential investors to go to South Africa and invest in the near future,” Peng said.

Mankwana Papo, the ANC’s national deputy spokesperson, emphasised that as China continues its reforms and opens up, it will embrace a brighter future in South Africa.

Papo also highlighted the shared advantages of advancing together toward prosperity and development. However, he pointed out the challenges currently confronting the country, including the soaring unemployment rate, stressing the critical role of economic diplomacy.

“Economic diplomacy is very important for the development of South Africa to deal with poverty, uneployment, and inequality. But also to deal with crime and corruption,” Papo said.

He said that crime and corruption pose serious threats to the development of every country, impacting progress and complicating efforts to address pressing issues.

Meanwhile, Professor Arthur Mutambara, Director of the Institute for the Future of Knowledge at UJ and former Prime Minister of Zimbabwe emphasised the necessity for African countries to engage with China as a crucial partner in the continent’s economy.

“Over 1.4 billion Africans will be generating a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $3.1 trillion, this sets the stage for meaningful engagement with China and its vast economy of 1.4 billion people, boasting a GDP of $19 trillion,” he said.

Mutambara said that China's effective use of technology is bolstering this development and urged Africans to “wake up” and embrace the advancements in technology and artificial intelligence (AI).

“AI is going to transform every sector, be it agriculture, mining, healthcare, tourism, and hospitality, there’s no sector that is not going to be improved by artificial intelligence. The lesson from China is let us embrace technology,” he said.

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