In the Congo River Basin in Central Africa, thousands of miles away from China, there is a traditional staple food called "Manyok", which is made of cassava and wrapped in long strips with engo leaves, which looks very much like Chinese rice dumplings.
In June 2014, Congo (Brazzaville) President Sasu was invited to visit China, and he presented the oil painting "A Hardworking Family" to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
In the painting, several African women are busy in the house, some are stirring cassava flour, some are processing engoye, and some are adding firewood to the stove. What they make is exactly "Manyok".
In Congo (Brazzaville), "Manyoke" is the main food for entertaining distinguished guests.
The painting sent by President Sassou contains a warm meaning: Xi Jinping is a distinguished guest, and China is a true friend.
For a long time in the past, due to lagging behind in agricultural development, people in Congo (Brazzaville) had a single food structure, and the daily staple food of 90% of the population in the country was cassava.
However, the local planting technology is not high, and the cassava production has been unable to increase. Food has become a major problem in Congo (Brazzaville).
In April 2011, the first group of experts from the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences came to Gombe, Congo (Brazzaville) to start a three-year technical demonstration.
In the newly built China-aided Congo (Brazzaville) Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center, seven Chinese experts started from scratch and taught local farmers how to grow cassava and other crops scientifically.
In less than two years, many Congo (Brazzaville) farmers have mastered the techniques of cassava planting, harvesting, and storage. Dozens of fruits and vegetables such as small green vegetables, okra, sweet corn, and colorful peppers have grown in the greenhouses of the demonstration center.
Chinese experts have also successfully demonstrated the planting of "Huanan No. 5" cassava, with a yield of 51 tons per hectare, 5.6 times that of local varieties, making positive contributions to eradicating hunger.
"Throw me a peach, and give me a plum." The help from the Congo (Brazzaville) is also in the heart of the Chinese people.
In March 2013, Xi Jinping made his first overseas visit after assuming the presidency of China, and set Congo (Brazzaville) as one of the stops.
This is the first visit by a Chinese president since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Congo 49 years ago.
When delivering a speech in the parliament of the Republic of Congo, Xi Jinping mentioned one thing——
"In April 2010, after a strong earthquake occurred in Yushu, Qinghai, China, the Congolese government generously donated money to build a primary school in the disaster area. The spacious new school building, they can read and study quietly, run and laugh on the sports field."
At that time, considering the high cost of donating construction, China suggested that Congo should only donate one teaching building or library.
But Sasu said: "No, what Congo wants to donate is a primary school, a complete primary school. No matter how high the cost is, Congo will bear it." Forged a deep brotherhood."
On March 29, 2013, President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the Parliament Building of the Republic of the Congo in Brazzaville.
Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Huang Jingwen
In addition to food and school buildings, the brotherhood between China and Gang has also paved a way to get rich.
On March 1, 2016, Congo (Brazzaville) National Highway No. 1 was officially opened to traffic.
This traffic artery was built by Chinese builders in 8 years, passing through the Mayombe primeval forest and connecting hundreds of villages along the way.
In the past, it took a week to drive from Brazzaville, the capital of Congo (Brazzaville), to Pointe Noire, the estuary of the Atlantic Ocean; now, Highway 1 shortens the journey between the two places to 6 hours, and 90% of Congo (Brazzaville) The import and export of the above important materials, minerals and forest resources are all transported through this road.
Many small markets have also spontaneously formed along the line, and the surrounding residents have more opportunities to increase their income.
"China is sincerely helping us develop the economy." Sasu sighed.
In order to express their respect for the Chinese builders, the local people erected a "Mountain Splitter" sculpture in Doliji, the third largest city in Congo (Brazzaville), which the road passes through.
In 2016, Sasu visited China at the invitation of Xi Jinping, starting his 14th trip to China.
The two heads of state decided to upgrade China-Congo relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
At that time, China was already an important trading partner, project contractor and source of investment for Congo (Brazzaville); China aided in the construction of the majestic Brazzaville Stadium, which helped Congo (Brazzaville) successfully host the 11th African Games and achieve The long-awaited "non-lucky dream" has been fulfilled; Chinese doctors have carried out free clinics many times, and sent doctors and medicines to local people for free...
"When dealing with African friends, we use the word 'true'"; "to carry out cooperation with Africa, we use the word 'real'"; "to strengthen China-Africa friendship, we use the word "pro""; "to solve problems in cooperation , let’s talk about the word ‘sincerity’”.
The concept of China's cooperation with Africa expounded by Xi Jinping has been transformed into rich food baskets, smooth roads, and magnificent buildings in Congo (Brazzaville), as well as the cheerful smiles of local people when they talk about China.
Text/Jiyue, Ruiling
Dubbing/Jing Xuan
Audio Editing/Anxian
Editing/Haisheng
Sources/People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency, CCTV, etc.
(Study group WeChat public account)