Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

With the upcoming 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, it is not surprising to see some Western media outlets again targeting China's deepening green cooperation with African countries, which actually reveals anxiety over China's growing influence in the global energy transition. However, these anxieties will not impede the progress of China-Africa green cooperation.

Some Western media outlets claimed that as Western curbs on Chinese exports loom, China will urge African nations to buy its electric vehicles (EVs) and solar panels.

The renewed focus by the West on the green collaboration between China and African nations highlights the increasing potential of China-Africa cooperation in advancing green development and combating global climate change. The West is concerned that Chinese-made goods will dominate the markets, but in the long run, those whose products better suit Africa's needs will have bigger access to African markets.

With deepening cooperation between China and Africa in the field of green energy, China has become an important partner in Africa's green transformation. Western countries have shown clear concerns about China's growing influence in the green energy sector in Africa and the possible economic and political implications. These concerns are likely fueled by China's advancements in technology and market expansion in the global green energy sector.

However, the momentum of China-Africa green collaboration is unlikely to be affected by Western concerns or slander. China-Africa cooperation, particularly in the realm of green initiatives, is an important part of the contribution of Chinese modernization to the world. This cooperation is in line with the times and holds profound significance. 

Its value cannot be measured in terms of money, as it goes beyond simple economic interests and reflects China's commitment to and support for sustainable development in Africa.

Unlike cooperation with the West, China-Africa cooperation prioritizes mutual development and long-term interests. Western efforts at collaboration, influenced by political factors, frequently involve more conditions, whereas China-Africa cooperation stresses equality and mutually beneficial outcomes.

Against the backdrop of increasingly severe climate change issues, green development has emerged as a global consensus. Furthermore, Africa's power shortage has become a pressing concern in recent years. It is in this context that China-African green cooperation has demonstrated robust vitality and promising development potential.

In Africa, China's technology, funding and expertise are facilitating the green transformation and sustainable economic development of local countries. China's green energy cooperation with African countries has mainly focused on clean energy sectors such as wind power and solar photovoltaics, and electricity infrastructure construction. These joint efforts have successfully advanced Africa's green transformation and sustainable development, yielding positive outcomes.

China is increasing investment of clean energy and power grid projects in Africa, such as the De Aar wind power project in South Africa and the Garissa Solar Plant in Kenya. These projects provide stable clean energy for local communities while creating jobs and driving economic development, improving the quality of life for residents. They stand as a testament to the strong partnership between China and Africa, showcasing China's cutting-edge and effective green technology.

Chinese companies have been actively offering services to regional organizations, governments and businesses in Africa, conducting research on energy and industrial park development plans, and providing training in related fields to enhance the self-development capabilities of African countries.

In addition, the promotion of new-energy vehicles from China in Africa has played a significant role in advancing the green revolution in the local transportation industry. 

For example, since 2022, a Kenyan start-up has been using parts designed by Chinese car manufacturers to assemble electric buses, providing local residents with eco-friendly travel options. 

These tangible developments demonstrate that China-Africa green cooperation is built on a strong foundation and holds promising prospects for sustainable development. As this cooperation deepens and strengthens, the opportunities for collaboration will expand, injecting a continuous stream of vitality into their sustainable development and modernization endeavors.