China-Africa cultural exchange: a chord in our hearts

In the past five decades, relations between China and Africa have grown in leaps and bounds. This relationship has gone beyond political and economic ties, to cultural exchanges, deepening friendship between the two sides.

As links between Africa and China broaden, both have deployed strategies that have ensured that this engagement is truly a win-win. Chinese president Xi Jinping's recent visit to Africa highlighted the cordial ties between the two. In Tanzania for instance the leaders signed cultural exchange agreements to further strengthen these ties.

But preceding Xi Jinping's visits and for many years now, Africans have been engaging with Chinese culture in numerous ways. One of them through Swahili translated Chinese soap opera transmitted not only In Tanzania but across the wider eastern Africa on national broadcasters.

These TV series have been received positively as many East Africans realize that theirs and the Chinese cultures are not so different.

Enallah Mgassa, a Chinese soap opera fan, said, "I was only thinking just Africans have that kind of life, maybe you get married you live with mother inlaw you get problems so I thought also other people."

Another key area of engagement has been in tourism, China has shown a keen interest in East Africa's biggest spectacle, The Great wildebeest migration. This migration has evolved into one of the wonders of the world.

But as incredible as it is, it has received little or insufficient attention globally However thanks to the Chinese media, the wildebeest migration recently received extensive coverage to the rest of the world, raising the tourism potential of the region to the Asian market .

Jakaya Kikwete, Tanzanian president, said, "I'm thrilled with the idea you have broadcast the event live , the wildebeest migration is a very unique spectacle."

Efforts at cultural engagement between China and Africa have also been underscored by the establishment of several Confucius institutes spread across Africa. A total of 25 Confucius Institutes have been opened in 18 African countries over the years with more set to open in future.

Culture is said to have no boundaries. And China believes and it has often stated that in Africa it has found an equal partner, owing to the near intertwined cultures. Now with the world's second biggest economy keen on Africa , these cultural relations can only get better.