YOKOHAMA, Japan, June 3 (Xinhua) -- African countries and major regional and international organizations mapped out future steps and priorities for the continent's development at an international conference, which ended here Monday.
The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) forum was held under the theme, "Hand in Hand with a More Dynamic Africa."
As one of the main TICAD sponsors, Japan, the world's third largest economy, announced a 14-billion-U.S. dollars development assistance and a 32-billion-dollar aid package to Africa, indicating the host country's eagerness to embrace the fast-growing market.P But Japan's generosity could be questioned by others after its domestic media interpreted the government's decision as an effort to contain countries that have already invested in Africa and to grab a greater share of the vast African market.
Yomiuri Shinbun, a leading Japanese daily newspaper, said Sunday Japan had to "be wary of China's moves" in Africa and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's potential visit to Africa would be an "appropriate" way to "vie with China" on the continent.
However, it is common sense that playing the zero-sum game or using cold-war thinking will only result in the destruction of international cooperation and efforts to help make a better Africa.
In fact, investing in or assisting Africa has to be responsible and address African countries' needs as the development of Africa needs real partners that respect African countries' will to establish a sincere and concrete relationship with all countries in the world.
A real partner also has to respect the dominant role of African countries in developing their own continent and does not weigh its investment and assistance on political and ideological grounds.
Africa, which has maintained an average 5.8-percent economic growth rate since 2000, is increasingly attracting countries and companies to the dynamic market.
The amount of foreign investment in Africa has surpassed that of foreign assistance received by it since 2005 and investment has become a new driving force for the continent.
Moreover, the number of Africans living in poverty has consistently fallen in the past three years, while middle class population has persistently grown, to form a booming consumption market.
However, insecurity and instability are still widespread across the continent and the international community has to help Africa resolve the thorny issues to bring long lasting peace and stability that leads to sustained and sustainable development.
It should not be forgotten that the world can not exist without Africa and the world will not know peace without a stable Africa. However, to be more optimistic, the world also has confidence that, hand in hand with real partners, the continent will have a brilliant future.
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