A meaningful trip to Henan province

Between 20th–25th November 2018, I was privileged to tour the Province of Henan in the company of other African Envoys to the People’s Republic of China.  This was my first visit to this province, but the second of annual visits undertaken under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  We were well received by the dignitaries of the Provincial and Municipal authorities who putting at our disposal amenities and hospitality as well as generosity of the highest level.There is much which is impressive about the Province of Henan – not least of which is the historical significance of the province.  To be host to 4 of 8 historical capitals of China through the ages gives credence to the well deserved title of being cradle of Chinese civilisation.  The multitude of renowned monuments which include the imposing Longmen Grottoes stone carvings, the prestigious Shaolin Temple and the remarkable National Museum of Chinese Writing speaks volumes of rich Chinese heritage.Just as impressive are the economic credentials of the Province – being the 5th largest amongst Chinese Provinces, rail and transport hub and an enormous industrial base.

To visit the Red Flag Canal, the associated museum, and the museum of Jiao Yulu, is to be exposed to the enormity of human endeavour and enterprise.  The memorialisation as well as the celebration of heroism, unfailing self-reliant spirit, undaunted by adversity and suffering, are a telling testament of the courage and pride of the Chinese people.

As with all societies in which the fruits of development do not reach everyone timeously, it was most encouraging to see the success of poverty reduction initiatives– horticulture; chicken, dairy and small stock farming; textile and afforest-ration among others.

The visit to Henan province has many lessons for developing countries such as Botswana.  Examples include the realisation that improving livelihoods through poverty reduction is achievable.  The size of the market, over 100 million people, has a huge potential for goods and services made in developing countries.   There was reaffirmation that Vision, ambition and hard work pay.  Memorialisation and celebration of achievement is both a monument to the past and an inspiration to generations to come.  No wonder multitudes of tourists pour into Henan to experience it for themselves.

Author |  By H.E. Ambassador Mothusi Bruce Rabasha Palai of The Republic of Botswana to China
Design | Li Yudan

This article was published in the January, 2019 issue of "China Investment" Africa Edition.
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《中国投资》杂志创办自1985年，由国家发改委主管，国家发改委投资研究所、中国投资协会、中国国际工程咨询公司主办，是我国投资领域唯一的中央级刊物，业界最早专注于投资领域趋势报道的核心期刊。创刊三十多年以来，杂志以全球视角看中国投资，涵盖宏观经济、行业分析和企业投资案例，同时以全球市场为坐标，聚焦特定国家、地区和重大国际趋势，目前已经成为世界各国政府官员、各类投资机构、专家学者、企业家以及记者媒体的专业对话平台。《中国投资》杂志每期覆盖包括上市公司在内的200多家央企国企和10000多家中国民营企业、1000多家中央与地方政府决策部门和机构、1000多家行业协会和商会、300多家主要金融机构等，是了解宏观经济环境、行业趋势前景和企业投资案例的重要参考。自2016年始，在中联部等相关机构的共同支持下，《中国投资》非洲版面世，为非洲各国与中国持久的大规模合作，提供一个专业而强大的对话平台。

2017年，《中国投资》丝路版诞生，为一带一路框架下各国各方与中国的合作互鉴，提供前瞻包容的思想引领，分享各行各业的创新创举，在探索人类命运共同体的道路上共创未来。

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