Education can help to forge emotional bonds

"One reason for its success is that it started early, six years before UNESCO introduced the concept of education for all."

China's experience in the reform of rural education can be valuable for many African countries, Wang says, particularly in areas such as devising effective teaching methods and designing curriculums. But there is a difficulty that needs to be overcome in sharing this experience with Africa as a cultural divide exists.

"I personally don't believe we are at the stage where our teachers are ready to give African teachers training. Most of our teachers don't speak the local languages in Africa."

Wang recalls visiting a tribe in Ethiopia where his host gathered food with his hand from a bowl and fed it to Wang. Because of the unusual way of serving the food, Wang hesitated, but quickly gulped down the food.

"I had to eat. It is not good enough to just say that China and Africa are brothers and sisters. We have to put it into action. Brothers and sisters share. If our African hosts can eat it, I can eat it, too. But I'm afraid most Chinese teachers don't think this way."

Despite the challenges, Wang believes education training and exchanges between China and Africa are particularly useful.

"Education is where China and Africa can build common values and emotional bonds," he says.

In addition to supporting schools in Africa, Wang says the Chinese government should give more scholarships to African students at Chinese universities.

The amount of money Chinese universities give to African students is small compared to that provided by developed countries such as the United States and those in Europe or China's Asian neighbors South Korea and Japan, he says.

"This has meant the most talented African students go to the US and Europe, and those who do not make it to those places choose South Korea or Japan－only after that do they consider China."

Even if China funds fewer African students, each should receive a good amount, he says, so that Africa's top students will be attracted to Chinese universities, and grow up to build bridges between China and Africa.