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China vows to work with Africa on nuclear tech, satellites and space

President Xi Jinping tells African leaders at summit that ‘no country should be left behind’ on the path to modernisation

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China’s leader said space exploration was among the areas for cooperation. Photo: Xinhua
President Xi Jinping said China and Africa would work together on nuclear technology and space exploration, telling a summit in Beijing on Thursday that no nation should be left behind on the road to modernisation.
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“We will create a China-Africa forum on the peaceful use of nuclear technology, establish together 30 joint laboratories, and collaborate on satellite remote-sensing and lunar and deep-space exploration,” Xi said in his opening speech at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation gathering.

“On the path to modernisation, no one, and no country, should be left behind,” he said.

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Space exploration might not be a priority for African nations grappling with issues such as poverty, famine, disease and access to clean water and electricity. But Xi argued that it would take more than aid and new infrastructure to create a modern and prosperous Africa. He said a stable environment for development would also require more science and technology education, more skilled workers and research.

Xi told the dozens of African leaders at the summit that China would help to achieve this by building an engineering technology academy, establishing research collaborations on nuclear technology, satellite navigation and other areas, and by creating an alliance for innovation in agriculture.

“China is ready to launch 30 clean energy projects in Africa, put in place meteorological early warning systems, and carry out cooperation in disaster prevention, mitigation and relief as well as biodiversity conservation,” Xi said.

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In addition, he said China would help African nations expand their agricultural industries and improve their public health systems – including by investing in pharmaceutical production and building medical centres.

“All this is designed to help with green development in Africa,” Xi said.

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