On March 30, 2022, Professor TANG Xiaoyang, chair of the Department of International Relations, Tsinghua University and an expert at China Forum under Tsinghua’s Center for International Security and Strategy, was invited to attend a hybrid event held by Chatham House entitled “Emerging powers in Africa: Regional and national economic linkages in Eastern and Southern Africa,” where he spoke at Session I themed “Balancing regional and international relations.”

There is a need for stronger regional and global integration in economy, technology and infrastructure, and these common challenges require collaborative, multistakeholder solutions, Professor Tang noted. However, political boundaries, nationalism, and governing incapacity have hindered international cooperation and communication, especially in Africa. China supports Africa in promoting economic, infrastructural and technological integration and has provided active assistance in these areas, Professor Tang stressed.

Panelists agreed that the pandemic has posed particularly daunting challenges to developing countries in Africa. To address those challenges, African countries should fully harness existing institutions and infrastructure to improve their business environments and governing capacity, and to lower trade barriers between each other, so as to make the continent more sustainable, prosperous, united and just. In addition, Africa should adopt a more proactive approach to diplomacy in the international arena.