---On 26th November, a sunshiny day
in Hangzhou, the 2013 Training Workshop on SHP Technology
for English-Speaking African Countries concluded successfully.
Based on the concerted efforts of all lecturers, African
participants and HRC training team, this 42-day foreign-aid
training program entrusted by the Chinese Ministry of
Commerce has achieved fruitful results.
The grand ceremony was held in HRC's
multi-functional hall. Ms. Cheng Xialei, Director of HRC,
Mr. Zhu Xiaozhang, Honorary Director of HRC, and 15 participants
(the participant from Liberia departed one day earlier
due to flight arrangement) from 9 English-Speaking African
countries attended the ceremony, which was presided over
by Mr. Pan Daqing, Chief of Foreign Affairs and Training
Division of HRC.
Due to an unexpected urgent task, Mr.
Fan Aihua, Division Chief of Commerce Department of Zhejiang
Province, was unable to be present at the closing ceremony
but sent a written speech instead, which was read out
in full by Mr. Pan. In the speech, as entrusted by the
leaders of the Department of Aid to Foreign Countries
of the Ministry of Commerce, and the Department of Commerce
of Zhejiang Province, Mr. Fan extend his warm congratulations
on the successful conclusion of the training workshop,
expressed his heartfelt thanks to HRC for having fulfilled
the mission from the Ministry of Commerce, organized the
training workshop in a scientific and professional way
and made immense contributions to the successful conclusion
of this training workshop. He also express his respect
to all the participants in this training workshop for
having overcome barriers on languages, habits and customs,
etc. to finish all the training courses based on the joint
efforts. It was highlighted in the speech that "In
this March, China's president Xi Jinping paid a visit
to Africa during which he stated that, in strengthening
friendship with Africa, China will seek to cultivate kinship-like
qualities in the relationship. The Chinese and African
people are naturally attached to each other. China will
always regard African countries as its real friends, with
a friendship that has been sealed in adversity. People
in China and Africa should strengthen unity and cooperation
in pursuit of a dream of the world which shall feature
sustained peace and common prosperity. During his visit,
President Xi, on behalf of Chinese people, made a series
of solemn commitments to African people, including earnestly
implementing the "African Talents Program",
according to which in the next three years China will
train 30,000African professionals in various sectors and
offer 18,000 scholarships to overseas students from Africa.
China and Africa have always been a community of shared
destinies. With their joint efforts, China-Africa relations
have embarked on a fast track of development in an all-round
way. China has implemented up to 900 foreign-aid programs
for Africa, training over 40,000 personnel of various
professions. In 2012, China-Africa trade volume approached
$200 billion and the annual exchange of personnel exceeded
1.5 million". In the speech, Mr. Fan also introduced
to the participants the achievements made by Zhejiang
Province since China's reform and opening up, and he hoped
that the participants would often go back to Zhejiang
to look around, strengthen the contact and communication
with HRC, exchange technology and share experience, and
promote cooperation in the field of SHP, so as to realize
the common progress of all the developing countries.
Ms. Cheng made a comprehensive summary
for the activities and achievements of the training workshop.
On behalf of HRC, she sent the warm congratulation to
all the participants on their achievements proved by the
certificates from the Ministry of Commerce of China, and
she also expressed her sincere thanks to the participants
for their earnest attitude and friendly cooperation shown
during the training workshop. Ms. Cheng mentioned that
she was glad to learn all the participants were satisfied
with the productive training workshop and they felt that
the time about 42 days they spent in China was pleasant.
HRC had been greatly encouraged by all the high evaluations
from the participants and surely would spare no effort
to be better and better in future. It was also expected
that after returning to their respective countries, all
the participants would play more important roles in promoting
the local SHP development. Ms. Cheng warmly welcomed the
participants to revisit HRC, "the family of SHP in
the world". It was highly expected that more communications
would be strengthened and more concrete cooperation in
the field of SHP would be carried out in future.
Following the speech of Ms. Cheng, Mr.
Zhu delivered some supplement for the consideration of
the participants. He addressed that based on 42-day diligent
work, including all the presentation and the job-site
visits, the participants "might have understood why
and how SHP development in China could be that quick with
that large scale and how this work brings about substantial
benefit to the rural people". He believed that "What
China can achieve, your countries should also be capable
to achieve sooner or later." In addition to learning
professional knowledge, the various culture activities
strengthened the friendship. Mr. Zhu said: "We all
understand that exchange promotes mutual understanding;
mutual understanding enhances mutual trust and mutual
trust will lead to pragmatic cooperation. In this regards,
your bridge function for our future cooperation is highly
expected and the blossom of our friendship will hopefully
bear fruit in the near future".
On behalf of all the participants,
Mr. Nitinsingh Seeburrun from Mauritius delivered a speech.
He said with emotion: "First of all we would like
to extend our profound gratitude and sincere appreciation
to the Chinese government particularly the Ministry of
Commerce of the People's Republic of China for entrusting
the HRC to conduct this training workshop. The training
involves 16 participants from 10 countries and of different
professional backgrounds. Our lectures focused mainly
on the small hydropower technology and its development
in China. In this regards, we would like to express our
sincere gratitude to the lecturers for their informative
presentations. Notwithstanding, we would like to highlight
that the schedule was well detailed and prepared in the
most diligent way. The study tours organized by HRC allowed
us to acquire further information and explanations from
officials, experts and manufacturers. We really feel obliged
to HRC for its generosity, warm hospitality and continuous
assistance. Our hearty thanks goes to Mr. Pan the Chief
of Foreign Affairs and training and his wonderful team
for making us feel at home though being far away from
home, Mr. Feng for caring to our small needs with good
and delicious food ensuring that our appetite was always
satisfied, to the staff of HRC and Rudi Hotel and to all
those who contributed to make our stay a comfortable and
memorable one. In conclusion and on behalf of fellow participants
I would like to assure that after completion of this training
course we will endeavour to enhance and put into practice
our skills and knowledge in the development of SHP stations
in our respective countries. In this regard, we expect
that we can utilize the contacts and the relationships
that we have developed during the past 6 weeks in your
lovely country. We really feel more empowered and equipped
with this rich learning experience we have undergone.
May the almighty bless the People's Republic of China
for continuous growth and prosperity and the well-being
of its citizens."
To enthusiastic applauses, Ms. Cheng
and Mr. Zhu awarded the certificates from the Ministry
of Commerce to all the participants. Mr. Pan presented
a souvenir from HRC to the monitor who had made good coordination
services for the class. A small crystal memorial tablet
was designed by all the participants and presented to
HRC, expressing their high evaluation on HRC for the "warm
hospitality, dedication, professionalism, knowledge and
experience sharing".
May the friendship between China and
Africa is perpetual and the cooperation between China
and Africa is fruitful! (2013-11-29)
