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The 20th Congress of the Communist Party of China continues in Beijing. President Xi Jinping, who is seeking a third term, has taken stock of his policy for ten years. In Africa, China deploys a very active diplomacy, particularly on the cultural level. Examples in Senegal and Gabon, in the Confucius institutes visited by our correspondents.
with our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac and our correspondent in Libreville, Yves-Laurent Goma
Located on the campus of the Cheikh Anta Diop University, the Confucius Institute of Dakar has the mission of promoting the Chinese language and culture, but not only: the Institute offers in particular a dozen training courses to students of the sub- region. Charlotte Idrac met Halimatou Ba and Gédéon Mayombo, two students, and the Executive Director of the Institute for a year and a half, Professor Lamine Ndiaye.
Mandarin is not that difficult, says Halimatou Ba, 21
The Confucius Institute of Dakar has trained some 3,200 people in the past three years, all courses combined, according to its executive director
► Read also : China in Africa, a “friend” who wishes you well?
And in Libreville
Three years ago, Beijing opened a Confucius Institute within the Omar Bongo University in Libreville. It is popular with young Gabonese who come to learn Mandarin there. This is the case of the young journalist Innocent Mbadouma, who came to learn this “language of the future” according to him.
► Read also : at the 20th Congress of the CPC, China relies on African journalists to restore its image
Report with businessmen, politicians
At the Confucius Institute in Libreville, Innocent Mbadouma learns Mandarin which can open up new economic opportunities for him
► Read also : at the China-Africa Forum in Dakar, Beijing promises a “new era” in the face of African concerns
