A meaningful trip to Henan province

Between 20th–25th November 2018, I was privileged to tour the Province of Henan in the company of other African Envoys to the People’s Republic of China.? This was my first visit to this province, but the second of annual visits undertaken under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.? We were well received by the dignitaries of the Provincial and Municipal authorities who putting at our disposal amenities and hospitality as well as generosity of the highest level.There is much which is impressive about the Province of Henan – not least of which is the historical significance of the province.? To be host to 4 of 8 historical capitals of China through the ages gives credence to the well deserved title of being cradle of Chinese civilisation.? The multitude of renowned monuments which include the imposing Longmen Grottoes stone carvings, the prestigious Shaolin Temple and the remarkable National Museum of Chinese Writing speaks volumes of rich Chinese heritage.Just as impressive are the economic credentials of the Province – being the 5th largest amongst Chinese Provinces, rail and transport hub and an enormous industrial base.

To visit the Red Flag Canal, the associated museum, and the museum of Jiao Yulu, is to be exposed to the enormity of human endeavour and enterprise.? The memorialisation as well as the celebration of heroism, unfailing self-reliant spirit, undaunted by adversity and suffering, are a telling testament of the courage and pride of the Chinese people.

As with all societies in which the fruits of development do not reach everyone timeously, it was most encouraging to see the success of poverty reduction initiatives– horticulture; chicken, dairy and small stock farming; textile and afforest-ration among others.

The visit to Henan province has many lessons for developing countries such as Botswana.? Examples include the realisation that improving livelihoods through poverty reduction is achievable.? The size of the market, over 100 million people, has a huge potential for goods and services made in developing countries.?? There was reaffirmation that Vision, ambition and hard work pay.? Memorialisation and celebration of achievement is both a monument to the past and an inspiration to generations to come.? No wonder multitudes of tourists pour into Henan to experience it for themselves.

Author?|? By H.E. Ambassador Mothusi Bruce Rabasha Palai of The Republic of Botswana to China
Design | Li Yudan

This article was published in the?January, 2019 issue of "China Investment"?Africa?Edition.
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《中國投資》雜志創辦自1985年，由國家發改委主管，國家發改委投資研究所、中國投資協會、中國國際工程咨詢公司主辦，是我國投資領域唯一的中央級刊物，業界最早專注于投資領域趨勢報道的核心期刊。創刊三十多年以來，雜志以全球視角看中國投資，涵蓋宏觀經濟、行業分析和企業投資案例，同時以全球市場為坐標，聚焦特定國家、地區和重大國際趨勢，目前已經成為世界各國政府官員、各類投資機構、專家學者、企業家以及記者媒體的專業對話平臺。《中國投資》雜志每期覆蓋包括上市公司在內的200多家央企國企和10000多家中國民營企業、1000多家中央與地方政府決策部門和機構、1000多家行業協會和商會、300多家主要金融機構等，是了解宏觀經濟環境、行業趨勢前景和企業投資案例的重要參考。自2016年始，在中聯部等相關機構的共同支持下，《中國投資》非洲版面世，為非洲各國與中國持久的大規模合作，提供一個專業而強大的對話平臺。

2017年，《中國投資》絲路版誕生，為一帶一路框架下各國各方與中國的合作互鑒，提供前瞻包容的思想引領，分享各行各業的創新創舉，在探索人類命運共同體的道路上共創未來。

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