On Sunday, 19 May 2019, the African Diplomatic Corps in Beijing together with Permanent Representative Office of the African Union to China held the First Forum for the African Diaspora in China at the Public Diplomacy and Culture Exchange Centre. DUAPA, an African students association co-organized the event.

The forum was part of the celebratory activities planned ahead of the upcoming Africa Day scheduled on 25 May 2019 in Beijing.

Speaking to the audience, the Permanent Representative of the African Union to China, His Excellency Rahamtalla Mohamed Osman argued the African Diaspora to maintain unity and study hard for the continent’s future.

“Development starts with good education. Study hard with focus to contributing to the development of our communities back home,” the African Union envoy stated.

The envoy, further commended the role of the African Diaspora in China and elsewhere in the world urging them to learn from the experiences around them for the benefit of their countries back on the continent of Africa.

Mr. Ma Zhenxuan, the President of the Public Diplomacy and Culture Exchange Centre, lauded the initiative and argued the African Diaspora to contribute to China – Africa friendship.

“Today's African Diaspora Forum, our purpose and original intention is also to talk freely about China-Africa friendship and inherit China- Africa friendship. There are many young African students participating in today's event. You are the future of Africa and China-Africa friendship. I wish you success in your studies and make greater contributions to China-Africa friendship,” Ma said.

Speaking on the behalf of the African Diplomatic Corps in Beijing, Ambassador Charles Kayonga told the audience to take responsibility and be leaders beginning with leading in their communities and being accountable. The Africans abroad should also be Ambassadors of the continent and should help to re-brand Africa in line with the changing situation. The Ambassador further urged the diaspora to coordinate more among themselves as well as reaching out to Embassies in China and put to use the various expertise available to contribute to the Africa we want.

Quoting President Kagame of Rwanda in his recent speech during the Transform Africa Summit in Kigali, Ambassador Kayonga reiterated that Africa can not afford to stay behind in the modern era and that the youth in the diaspora had a role to play in ensuring that this vision becomes a reality.

At the event, different African Ambassadors, student representatives and diaspora members shared ideas on the ‘role of the African diaspora in the development of the continent’ through panel discussions.

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