Hopes voiced for next five years

Eric Chinje, chief executive officer of the African Media Initiative [Photo/China Daily]

A1 I was most impressed by the commitment shown by President Xi Jinping in Johannesburg in December to remain involved in Africa and inject some $60 billion into the regional economy in loans and grants.

Such sums could effectively transform the economic landscape of Africa if the resources can be used for well-defined regional projects instead of self-serving micro projects at the national level.

A2 The growth of the Chinese economy over the years has been one of the most important change-inducing elements on the world stage this century. The foremost challenge for the government has to be the economy and the pursuit of policies that will once again nudge growth toward double digits.

A3 My hope is that the demand the Chinese industry will once again create the kind of demand that will drive growth around the world, especially in Africa.

A4 A lot will depend, I believe, on the fiscal and monetary policies put in place by Beijing, and the response of the internal consumer market to increased production of consumer goods.

This, and a willingness by China to increase trade with Africa in finished products, could create major opportunities in a range of industries, from agriculture to petrochemicals and beyond.

A5 As an African, the one question I would ask is about transfer of technology on the part of China. No country knows better the value of "training a man to fish instead of giving him a fish". Could China-Africa relations be guided by that wisdom?