意义深刻的河南之行

2018年11月20日至25日，我有幸与其他非洲驻华使节一起参观考察了河南省。这是我第一次访问该省，同时也是在外交部安排下的年度第二次出访。我们受到了省、市政府领导的欢迎，他们给予了我们最高级别的热情慷慨的款待。

河南省有很多令人印象深刻的地方，特别是它具有重要的历史意义。中国历史上有8个城市曾经是国家的首都，而河南省就占了其中的4个。因此，它完全称得上是中华文明的摇篮。河南还有众多举世闻名的古迹，包括雄伟的龙门石窟、享有盛誉的少林寺和著名的中国文字博物馆，它们无不代表了中国丰富的文化遗产。

同样吸引人的还有该省的经济实力——它的国内生产总值在中国各省中排名第五。并且，河南的铁路基础设施、交通枢纽的位置以及工业基地的庞大规模都给人留下了非常深刻的印象。

我们参观了红旗渠及其纪念馆和焦裕禄纪念馆，它们详实地展示了当地人民为改变家乡面貌曾经付出的巨大努力。我们在那里可以深切感受到中国人民不畏艰难险阻、坚定不移的自力更生精神，他们的勇气令人敬佩，他们表现出的英雄主义也确实值得后人缅怀和颂扬。

当今世界几乎所有国家都面临着发展成果没能及时惠及所有国民的问题，因此，当我们在河南看到他们所采取的已经获得了成功的减贫举措时倍受鼓舞。这些措施包括园艺、鸡、奶牛及其他小型牲畜养殖、纺织和绿化定额等。

河南之行让像博茨瓦纳这样的发展中国家学到了许多东西，比如，亲眼目睹到的现实让我们认识到通过脱贫来提高人民生活是完全可以实现的。河南拥有巨大的市场规模和超过1亿的人口，这对发展中国家的商品和服务来说，是一个蕴藏着很大潜力的机会之地。而且河南人民用事实证明只要辛勤工作，任何愿景和理想都是能够实现的。纪念和庆祝取得的成就既是对过去的肯定，也是对后代的激励，这也是为什么河南会吸引大批游客前来亲自感受的原因之一。

⬆博茨瓦纳驻华大使莫图西·帕拉伊（右一）与其他使节到洛阳参观龙门石窟

英文版

A meaningful trip to Henan province

By H.E. Ambassador Mothusi Bruce Rabasha Palai of The Republic of Botswana to China

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.