Liu Guangyuan on Sino-African Relations

At a speech to a meeting titled Towards a New Africa-China Partnership, held in Nairobi, Kenya, Chinese Ambassador Liu Guangyuan offered his views on the directions of the Sino-African relationship, which is at its highest ever.

The four points raised by Amb. Liu, are stability first, valuing traditional bilateral ties, promoting all-around pragmatic cooperation, and prioritizing people's welfare.

The first point is drawn from China's own experience, Liu pointed. "no stability, no development," "Harmony is a concept we Chinese have always treasured and are so desperately willing to share with our African friends in our common endeavors to seek our own development paths."

"let’s start to vigorously advocate peace and harmony, without which a country can never be strong, prosperous, confident, independent, contented and well-off."

Secondly, Liu noted that the bilateral relationship, built on a traditionally strong tie,

will be withstanding the criticism of neocolonialism. "Some have gone so sensational as to claim that China is repeating the colonial path of exploiting Africa." Liu said the African will be able to judge.

What's "all around pragmatic cooperation"? Liu singled out cooperations in economy and trade, infrastructure, energy, culture, healthcare, education, science and technology and agriculture, among others. Liu said think – tanks and media in Africa should visit China and exchange with Chinese counterparts so a true “Chinese story” can be told.

"We must ensure that the achievements of China – Africa cooperation do benefit our people." emphasized Liu for his fourth point. "Let the people feel and see." Liu said.

From Tennis to Everything You Do in Life

With over 20 years playing tennis, I thought I could never be as good as the ones I had dreamed of. I am not even talking of stars such as Federer and Nadal, but more realistic ones such as the player who was nearly 20 years older than me but beat me in straight sets.

However, recent things have changed my perception. And now, more than ever, I believe I can beat the top guns inside my playing circle, and even some good players in the city. What have changed? It all started from a new coach and new perspective.

This new coach, let’s call him Eric, is not even a good coach by popular judgment. A tennis buddy even warned me that Eric is a good player, but doesn’t have a clue about coaching. Terrible, I was warned.

But hey, there is no deny about Eric being the No.1 player inside the Tennis Club, I believe that there must be something that Eric has that I can learn from. So I signed up. And I have seen changes kept coming ever since.

Eric has no mercy; he doesn’t treat trainees like trainees, but professional players in training. Eric believe that everyone can be equally qualified to be playing tennis just as well as him, if they put the right amount of practice, right attitude and never give up and give in.

I immediately felt the difference of the perspective change in my tennis. I was thrilled by the feeling of hitting the balls like a pro, the desire to improve, the determination to keep going even I was ready to collapse, and in return, the tangible improvement pushes me to move forward further and further.

Eric is not only bad at pleasing you so you will feel good about yourself, at the expenses of releasing your full potential and achieving the maximum goals, he is also bad at saving people’s face. “Where is your stamina?” “Your forms mess up”, he would say, to your face, so you will correct right away.

Coaches like Eric are not for everyone; you do have to stomach constructive suggestions, to-you-face comments and everything in between.

It has been going on for two months; I still have a long way to go towards my goal of beating the local stars with flying colors.

Do you have such a coach in your life that can motivate you to constantly improve?

Let me leave one quote with you, “You stop playing not because you become old, you become old because you stop playing.”

Ghana views China favorably

According to a newly released BBC poll, China is viewed highly favorably among Ghanaian public.

The poll shows that 72 percent of surveyed view Beijing in a positive view, up by 9% from last year. Ghana is also ranked second, only next to another West African country, Nigeria which have 85% share favorable views of China. In general, Africans share the good impression of China, in East African nation Kenya, the poll find that 73% like China.

Beijing is certainly taking note of these positive views reflected in Africa, at a recent interview, Chinese diplomat Liu Guangyuan cited the data, saying that, whether China is good or bad to Africa, let Africans judge.

"I am not going to explain anything, because I know that actions speak louder than word and seeing is believing. It is for the African people to judge whether China is good or bad for them. "

Liu also recognized a lack of voices in Chinese engagement in Africa, he said, due to an introverted personality, Chinese are preferring doing rather than saying. "Of course, we should try to change a little bit in this aspect by improving our publicity and raising our voices. More support and understanding from our African friends are most needed and deeply appreciated, especially those from the African media friends. "

Japanese Earthquake seen from Ghana

The near Sentai, Japan centered earthquake has shockwaves all over the world, even in the West African nation of Ghana, news spread out quickly about the disastrous event.

On the same day, the Japanese Ambassador Katakami paid a farewell courtesy call to the Ghanaian President Mills. According to Ghana News Agency report, Mills expressed sympathy towards the Japanese people and hope to see a strengthened Japan emerging from the disaster.

Katakami expressed his government's assistance and hope to see Ghana to develop into an African Tiger.

However, the tie has not always smooth. Last year, the death of Ghanaian men at a Tokyo detention facility has prompted his Japanese wife to challenge Japanese government, asking for a appeal.

Outgunned in Africa by China, Japan has been playing catch up. Katakami has made efforts in his part to restore a yen-loan to Ghana that was previously suspended.

China, No more a Nation riding on Bikes

China is no longer a nation on bikes, can you believe it?

Without seeing it, I can't believe myself. But upon returning from a recent trip, I have no doubt that China is no more riding on bikes.

Just less than two years ago when I was there, the bikes were still everywhere, many of them are electronic bikes. However, even these e-bikes are only occasionally spotted on the streets, most likely on back streets.

Where are these bikes?

One reason is the fast growing car-owning class, who have since retired their bikes and start the four-wheel life. The previous car-owners, such as businessmen, sales or private enterprise managers are also replaced with school teachers, civil servants and other salary earners. Owning a car is no longer a dream, but a reachable goal.

Another reason is the unfriendlier road riding experience. In the past, since most of Chinese ride bikes to work, go shopping, picking and dropping kids and just about any other errands, the bike lines were wide and plenty. However, nowadays, the bike lines, as explained by New Yorker Beijing writer Even Osnos, are getting a facelift. The three classes all have trade offs, and the cyclists have to consider before setting for a ride. Sounds like a hassle?

Last reason, I think, is the culture perception of class. In China, a strong views associating certain things with a profession. Jeans and backpacks? Students. People with white scrubs are either physicians or dentists, (even illegal street corner dentists have to were these). So bicycles are considered as a thing of poor people (painters and day laborers waiting on the street), or poor students. If you have money, why riding a bike?

However, I had no problem riding one around. The fresh air just unbeatable to seating inside a bus. I just wish the bike lines will still be there, for many years to come. Because, with the soaring oil prices and unrest in the Middle East, the bikes may well be coming back in a big way.

(AP photo)