China extends a helping hand to African countries on the path to modernization, making sure that no country is left behind in the journey towards shared development, which is a collective endeavor with profound significance, according to Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic of Congo.
Sassou made the remarks in an exclusive interview with China Central Television (CCTV) in early September while he was in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit.
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech titled "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a Community with a Shared Future" while attending the opening ceremony of FOCAC on Sept 5.
Xi emphasized in his speech that on the path to modernization, no one, and no country, should be left behind.
"First, President Xi Jinping solemnly announced in his keynote speech that all African countries maintaining normal diplomatic relations with China, whether large or small, have their ties elevated to the level of comprehensive strategic partnerships with China. This move demonstrates China's deep care and steadfast support for African countries, especially those with a relatively weak development foundation. Extending a helping hand and moving forward together to make sure that no country is left behind on the path of shared development, this undoubtedly represents a collective endeavor of profound significance," Sassou said.
And this endeavor sends a clear signal to Global South countries that Africa and China have embarked on a new journey together, he noted.
When discussing the fundamental differences between the modernization processes of the West and those represented by developing countries such as China and African countries, the president stated that he has no intention of delving into the modernization process of the West. This is because it stems from a complex historical context, often achieved through the domination and exploitation of other nations.
"Since first setting foot on this land in 1964 until now in 2024, I have personally witnessed the remarkable social progress and leap in modernization achieved by the Chinese people through their own perseverance and cooperation with people around the world under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. In my view, this represents an unprecedented development and modernization model," Sassou said.
China helps Africa on path to modernization with shared development: president of Republic of Congo
A Brazilian national who was deported by the United States in January this year recounted the discriminatory and inhumane treatment he encountered during the repatriation in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV).
Jefferson Faustino was among the 88 deported Brazilians sent by a charter flight from the U.S. to Manaus, a city in northern Brazil, on Jan 24.
During dozens of hours of flight, they were handcuffed, shackled, and denied food and bathroom, and they almost lost their lives to an air conditioning fault, according to Faustino.
"They gave us water in very small bottles on the plane. And I couldn't drink it, because my hands were cuffed to the waist chain. So I had to bend down hard and squash the bottle to spray water into my mouth, because otherwise I wouldn't be able to reach the water at all. Even by doing so, I couldn't get water. When I squeeze the bottle, the water sprayed out and soaked me all over. In the 48 hours of repatriation, they distributed food only one time. It was a spoiled sandwich. The sandwich they gave turned purplish color. I was starving. What could I do? I had to eat," Faustino said.
"In the 48 hours of repatriation, they distributed food only one time. It was a spoiled sandwich. The sandwich they gave me was purple. I was starving. What could I do? I had to eat," he added.
Meanwhile, the American crew enjoyed fresh food and water, Faustino told CCTV.
"No, they had very good food. Every meal, they went over there to heat up box lunches and drink water. The cabin cabinets were full of lunch boxes, full of food, but they didn't give us that food," he said.
The Brazilian deportees protested the unfair treatment and asked for the food and water, but they were not given a response, because of the language barrier, Faustino recalled.
"Yes, we asked. We spoke loudly to them, but the crew didn't speak Portuguese or Spanish, only English. It's a humiliation to us the Brazilians, because we didn't have food and couldn't use the bathroom. The children were crying," he said.
After the plane arrived in Manaus, the air conditioning system broke down and the crew got off the plane, leaving the deportees suffocating in the enclosure.
"People couldn't breathe. The cabin was out of air. I managed to open an emergency exit door and shouted to the police: 'Help! Help! Help!' I yelled for help, asking them to come and save us, because I thought I was dying, I was dying," Faustino said.
The Brazilian government deemed this treatment "degrading" and "unacceptable", with the country's foreign ministry summoning the charge d'affaires of the U.S. Embassy to request an explanation over the issue on Jan 26.
"The U.S. government should be held accountable. Why didn't they train these people responsible for transporting deportees. Since the Trump administration came to power, it has created conflicts in American society and adopted policies that are completely against democracy and public opinion, disrupting relations between the U.S. and its economic and political partners," said Rinaldo Leal, a Brazilian lawyer.
U.S. President Donald Trump signed on his inauguration day an executive order that called for mass deportations of undocumented migrants. Since then, raids and deportations of undocumented migrants, especially those from Latin America, have continued to ramp up.
Brazilian deportee recounts inhumane treatment during flight from US
Brazilian deportee recounts inhumane treatment during flight from US
