As this year marks the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and African countries, Wang Shiting, secretary of the Communist Party of China Committee of China Foreign Affairs University, says Africa "has always supported and practiced the building of a community with a shared future for humanity".

In an interview with China Daily, Wang, a seasoned diplomat in African affairs, said he believes the future prospects for building such a community "are extremely promising", and that he is "full of confidence" in this endeavor.

Wang served as Chinese ambassador to Malawi in 2016-18 and Chinese ambassador to Ghana in 2018-20.

He said Africa is "a major player in the Global South", adding he witnessed that the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity "enjoys deep public support and strong resonance" in Africa.

During his time in Africa, Wang saw firsthand how China refrains from interfering in internal affairs of African countries or attaching political conditions.

"China takes concrete actions to help Africa build roads and bridges, construct hospitals and schools, ensure food security and improve people's livelihoods," he said.

These tangible results of bilateral cooperation have led African countries to recognize that building a community with a shared future for humanity "is not an abstract concept, but a vivid practice", he added.

Wang stated his hope that China and Africa will continue to deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, economic and trade exchanges, peace and security, and people-to-people exchanges,"making greater contributions to maintaining world peace and development".

When asked about the impact of current international issues on building a community with a shared future for humanity, he said there are "both real challenges and valuable opportunities to turn crises into opportunities".

"The conflicts have made countries realize that unilateralism and confrontation offer no way out; only by pulling together and working hand-in-hand can we overcome difficulties," he said.

"The more turbulent and unpredictable the international situation becomes, the more it highlights the importance, urgency and foresight of the vision," he added.

Pioneer university

China Foreign Affairs University has been a pioneer in the studies of envisioning how to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

Earlier this month, its Research Center on Building a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity partnered with 48 of China's leading universities and research institutions in launching a research collaboration network over the vision.

Wang said that his university, as a key member of the Chinese School of international relations theories, will "keep building on China's original knowledge system on international relations", and contribute more Chinese wisdom and solutions for perfecting global governance.

The Chinese School is expected to produce more original landmark works, boost efficacy of Chinese narratives and pool strength among scholars and think tanks, he added.