Beijing, China
December 4, 2009
China is continuing to show an interest in developing African research capacity with the announcement of a cooperation programme in science and technology.
The China-Africa Science and Technology Partnership was launched by China's Ministry of Science and Technology last week (24 November).
According to the ministry, the priorities will be livelihoods and economic development. Technological cooperation will be enhanced in areas such as water management and conservation, sanitation, crop breeding, health and renewable energy.
The programme is one of eight measures announced by Chinese premier Wen Jiabao at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in early November.
At the meeting, Wen promised to spend US$10 billion on low-interest loans for Africa. The sum for the China-Africa Science and Technology Partnership was not disclosed.
The programme is similar to one pledged in 2006 (see African science to benefit from China trade deal).
Under the scheme, China will also help African countries implement major science and technology programmes, including designing high-tech science parks.
There will also be 100 joint research partnerships and 100 African postdoctoral scientists will have the chance to carry out research at China's technology parks, research institutes and private enterprises. Each researcher will then be offered research instruments worth 150,000 yuan (US$22,000) to aid their research back in Africa.
China will also donate laboratory equipment to African countries to upgrade their research capabilities, and Chinese scientists and engineers will travel to African countries to provide technical guidance and services.
The Chinese government will provide most of the funding, and additional money will come from the private sector and international organisations. An advisory committee will be set up to provide advice on policies and approaches to collaboration.
Wang Wenming, a director at the Chinese Research Society of African Affairs, said the programme showed China was willing to provide technology transfer to Africa.
"Western countries often blamed China's activity in Africa on neo-colonialism and accused China of dumping shoddy goods on the continent," Wang told SciDev.Net. "With this programme, China is offering high-tech research achievements with impact on Africa's sustainable development."
Garth Shelton, director of the East Asia Project at South Africa's University of Witwatersrand, says that China has low-cost technologies that would be useful in Africa, and that its commitment to protecting the environment could result in cooperation on technology.
"Chinese science and technology projects in Africa are to be welcomed — China has the appropriate and affordable technology for Africa," he said. "Africa is looking for affordable solutions to its science and technology problems."
中国将目光投向与非洲的研究合作
[北京] 中国宣布了一项中非科技合作规划，继续显示出促进非洲研究能力的兴趣。
中国科技部上周（11月24日）启动了中非科技伙伴计划。
科技部提出，民生和经济发展将是规划的重点领域。中非将加强在水资源管理和节约用水、卫生、作物培育、健康和可再生能源领域的技术合作。
这项规划是中国总理温家宝11月初在埃及沙姆沙伊赫举办的“中非合作论坛”上宣布的八项举措之一。
在会议上，温承诺为非洲国家提供100亿美元的低息贷款。中非科技伙伴计划的资金数额并未披露。
这个规划与中国2006年的一项承诺类似（参见《非洲科学得益于中非贸易协议》）。根据这一方案，中国将帮助非洲实施大型科研项目，包括设计科技园。
同时实施的还有100个中非联合研究项目，100位非洲博士后将有机会到中国的科技园、研究机构和私营企业做研究。每位研究人员返回非洲时将得到价值15万元（约合2.2万美元）的科研设备，以帮助他们在非洲的研究。
中国还将向非洲国家捐赠实验设备，以提高他们的研究能力。中国科学家和工程师将到非洲国家进行技术指导与服务。
中国政府将提供项目的大部分资金，其余资金将来自私营部门和国际组织。新成立一个咨询委员会为合作的政策和方法提供建议。
中国非洲问题研究会理事王文明说，这一规划显示了中国愿意向非洲提供技术转移。
“西方国家常常指责中国在非洲的活动是新殖民主义，谴责中国向非洲倾销廉价商品，”王对本网站说，“通过这个规划，中国将向非洲提供高科技研究成果，这些科技成果将影响非洲的可持续发展。”
南非Witwatersrand大学东亚项目的主任Garth Shelton说，中国的技术成本低，对非洲很有用，中国保护环境的承诺也将促进双方的技术合作。
“中国在非洲的科技项目将受到欢迎——中国拥有合适的、非洲负担得起的技术，”他说，“非洲正在寻找可承担的方法来解决其科技问题。”
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