BIVAN SALUSEKI Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China SUSTAINABLE development cannot be rushed but requires patience, consistent effort and a long-term vision, says Chinese economist Cheng Menyao. Professor Cheng, an associate professor of economics at the Party School of the Chinese…

BIVAN SALUSEKI

Fuzhou,

Fujian Province,

China

SUSTAINABLE development cannot be rushed but requires patience, consistent effort and a long-term vision, says Chinese economist Cheng Menyao.

Professor Cheng, an associate professor of economics at the Party School of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Fujian Provincial Committee, said countries should prioritise laying strong foundations for sustainable growth rather than pursuing short-term gains.

Prof Cheng said this in China earlier today during a lecture to visiting African editors.

She cited Fujian Province as an example of how visionary leadership and long-term planning could transform communities, saying the region has eradicated absolute poverty by 2020, 10 years ahead of the United Nations’ 2030 target.

Prof Cheng said Fuzhou is also ranked among China’s happiest cities, with residents covered by unified health insurance and pension systems.

She noted that the income gap between urban and rural residents is narrowing, with every two dollars earned by an urban resident corresponding to one dollar earned by someone in a rural area.

“Do not get stuck in ideological debate, do not wait for top-down approval, and do not rely on government to solve every problem.”

Prof Cheng said the government’s role, as demonstrated in Fuzhou, is to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers and support practical solutions to development challenges.

“Long-term strategic consistency delivers far more value than short-term gains,” she said.

“Some work takes a lifetime to bear fruit. That is worthwhile. Invest in new energy, the digital economy and other future-oriented industries.”

Prof Cheng said modernisation cannot simply be exported from one country to another, adding that African countries have an opportunity to compete in emerging industries rather than follow traditional cost-based development models.

She highlighted that there is no universal model of modernisation as every country should chart its own development path.

Prof Chenge said Fujian Province offers valuable lessons for Africa, particularly through its digital economy, which was put at more than US$473.5 billion, accounting for over 56 percent of the province’s gross domestic product (GDP).

She urged African countries to embrace technology and innovation, citing Chinese sportswear manufacturer Anta as an example of how technology can transform production.

Prof Cheng said Anta operates round the clock using lights-out manufacturing, a system that allows production to continue with minimal human intervention.

She described the company as the world’s third-largest sportswear brand, after Nike and Adidas.

Prof Cheng further said China’s support for Africa is not driven by political conditions, but by President Xi Jinping’s vision of mutually beneficial South-South cooperation.

She said development should be inclusive, while environmental protection should remain a priority, with international cooperation delivering benefits to all parties. https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home