We Are One: When China Meets Africa

China Focus: Cameroon is famous for football and many athletes play in China. What do you think of the cultural exchanges between China and Cameroon through football?

Charles Ndongo: The cooperation between China and Cameroon is very deep in many areas. China is the only foreign country that has performed real deeds in Africa, and Cameroonians appreciate that very much. The latest achievement, the Warda Sports Palace, is an architectural marvel and has allowed us to largely solve the infrastructure problems that our athletes faced. In the area of football, there are many things to do as well. Christian Bassogog, the best African player at the last African Cup of Nations in Libreville, Gabon is Cameroonian, and he is playing in China right now. There are several other players in China, including the captain of the Indomitable Lions, our national football team. Therefore, relations in various areas have been established between Cameroon and China through football, through sports.

China Focus: How does the new China-built gymnasium in Cameroon help promote local sports culture?

Charles Ndongo: It increases the influence, credibility and respectability of China within the Cameroonian population. By comparison, Cameroonians find that other countries only talk about democracy and human rights when they come here, while China offers us concrete help. That’s important because we can see China’s achievements. In addition to the recently built sports palace, China has done a lot for us. For example, China participated in port construction and independent credit and loan work. China built a convention center, which became a big attraction in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon; it has constructed roads and roadblocks as well. Cameroon appreciates all the work China has done for us.

China Focus: What kind of cooperation is there between Cameroon’s broadcasting and television stations and China’s media companies, such as StarTimes?

Charles Ndongo: Thanks to StarTimes, a private company from China, for the first time an African country is able to transmit the signal for African sports competitions like the African Cup of Nations. We are now negotiating with StarTimes to broadcast the men’s competitions at the Africa Cup of Nations, which will bring together 24 teams in six venues. StarTimes is helping us confront this big challenge; we appreciate that a lot. StarTimes was also chosen to be our main partner by President Paul Biya, who insisted that the selection process be fully-transparent and respectful of competition rules. Currently, StarTimes is repairing our entire technical platform that is about 30 years old, and thanks to these efforts, we will be able to upgrade our equipment. We are now in negotiations and still have some processes to undergo, but our cooperation is very good.

China Focus: In what fields would Cameroon like to cooperate more with China?

Charles Ndongo: It’s a good thing that the Chinese are more open and have already accepted us. However, it would be much better if China could increase trade with us. For example, although China has highly-developed agriculture, it takes resources and means to feed its one billion and a half people. If China could import a little more food from Cameroon, I think Cameroonians would rejoice.

The cultural exchanges between China and Cameroon are very fruitful. For example, Chinese acrobats often perform what we like at the Cameroonian cultural center. We are very fond of the finesse and agility of the Chinese, and we wonder how they manage to learn so much in such a short time. There is a lot to learn from the Chinese people.

I would say that the Chinese are welcome. However, I would like to remind them to be more cautious because they are considered enterprising, and Cameroonians will be paying close attention to this. We do not want China to occupy a place in Cameroon’s economy. But obviously, any problem is open to negotiations.

China Focus: Could you please use several keywords to describe the relationship between China and Cameroon through sports and culture exchanges?

Charles Ndongo: The first word that comes to mind is friendship. In contrast to other countries, we can see what we have gained by cooperating with China. The second word is pragmatism. China respects our policy in the same way we avoid making judgments about China and other countries. If another word is needed, obviously it is example. China has made progress in such a short time. We must draw on this experience. Mutual respect are also keywords. I believe that these are some of the keys that explain the success of Sino-Cameroonian cooperation.

Interviewer: Zhong Lei, Cheng Yao

Editors: Elenaa, Sophie