Why the journey to China? Our mobile phone rang and on the third score, we answered with great alacrity ? as though we knew the caller. The number was not a familiar one. At the other end of the phone was a Chinese Embellished kind of English. "Good news ? he said politely" We were left in a state of amazement as it were. "Good news! You will be going to China for two weeks" ? kind courtesy of the Government of the People's Republic of China.
We were given a set of instructions and we fell in line. An International Seminar for African Journalists had been arranged by the China Foreign Affairs University based in Beijing. Great idea on the part of China with a view is reaching out to the world. Uniquely, China is doing many a great thing and does not make much noise as others would lavishly choose to do any way.
The formalities as suggested by the Chinese Embassy source were immaculately carried out. No mistakes. Of course why should there be any under the circumstances folks. China is a world power and can anyone imagine what it means to become some official guests of the Chinese people ? and their government?
After the final crossing of the 'TS' and dotting of 'I' s ? we were issued a Chinese visa to participate in the two ? week International Seminar in Beijing. It must have been exciting for us. Was it? What is special about all of this folks? Essentially extraordinary! It marked an opportunity to meet a cross-section of media practitioners from across the continent to exchange ideas and determine a forward course of action for the media on the African landscape. Participants were drawn from Ghana, Nigeria, Burundi, Seychelles, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, etc.
On 28th May 2008 ? Kenya Airways was the option as arranged by the Chinese Embassy. Our route was worked out along the cruise of Monrovia ? Accra ? Nairobi ? Guangzhou and finally Beijing on Air China ? the state national airline. However, we experienced forced stopover in Lagos due to the non-availability of aircraft fuel in Accra. We than made the cruise to Nairobi Kenyatta International Airport on a transit course. We made a stop-rest at the Panari Hotel in Nairobi ? kind courtesy of Kenya Airways. They had no choice, if you like. Prior to that, our approach at Kotoka International Airport in Accra had appeared a nightmare to say the least. Turbulence had inundated us as a result of bad weather. It was indeed stormy and thunderous. Almost everyone on board was in some form of perplexity cum anxiety. Did the pilot necessarily have to challenge the turbulence? We aren't experts in piloting though, but that shouldn't have been a prudent thought. It happened any way in spite of precious lives or perilous condition involved.
That was not exception if you like, since the Airline had calculated such permutations. Kenya Airways flight KQ 232 also made a transit stopover in the Asian city of electronics ? Dubai. The Asia capital won our admiration as a result a firsthand appreciation of the superb architectural embodiment of its highly-inclined state of the art airport built at the expense of oil money. Wise use of black gold money, which contrast some countries around here. Oil money was seen to be wisely applied by the leaders of that black gold-rich country. It all did not come out of the blues ? the Chinese invitation must be credited for such opportunity.
At exactly 0935 GMT, we began yet another Herculean journey to the Great City of China in the heart of Asia. We departed Dubai for Guangzhou. It was a long and tiring cruise for the likes of travelers who had for the first time made such journey. Such is life. It all cannot come at once. Sometimes it might not come at all. At long last, we arrived at Guangzhou without any complications as previously.
We had started to get a feel and sense of the Great Chinese nation from one of its Provinces, and there was a lot that came to mind. We are talking about a population of 1.3 billion ? making the country the world's most populous nation on earth. Flying over Guangzhou ? we could see how a patriotic and nationalistic people rose to the occasion to make their country an exceptional paradise. We don't need to visit any Western capital in order to form a matrix or some kind of equation as it were. China is simply great.
From the air ? factories were seen scattered all over the place; a process of forestation and reforestation were being prioritized along an abundant stretch of land; irrigation projects were at their best to produce food for the Chinese people as well as satisfy the huge demand from international markets. We are marveled at a practically assertive people who believe in themselves and value their own heritage.
This is a lesson for many developing countries to copy. But China is making inroads in many countries in Africa and other developing nations today ? helping them to acquire the skills for effective fishing rather them fishing and handing them handouts. The architectural and civil engineering layout of Guangzhou proved that the brilliance of Chinese engineers is truly at play. This Great nation must be proud of its sons and daughters.
The Kenya airways pilots fantastically touched down after a long cruise, which swelled legs and clogged blood. At least for sometime as dictated by a long air travel. We entered the terminal in an unusual manner. What was that supposed to mean? In our naivety we might have traveled for some time on smaller aircraft. It could have been our first time on a Boeing 767. But that is not the point. We simply entered the terminal from the aeroplane. Such facility could be elsewhere on the African continent ? Nigeria, lvory Coast ? but it was Guangzhou our experienced came alive.
On putting foot on the airport at Guangzhou, we begun to appreciate yet another masterpiece in addition to the galore of wonders glimpsed at from the skies of China. We were not very surprised at the quality and organized efficiency brought to bear by the Chinese Immigration Officers ? who dealt with some 250 new entrants in split minutes with an aura of rapidity. Passport detectors and counter measures cum cross-checking of passport happened without any incident.
We certainly went through customs amid nothing to declare or show. The warmth and friendliness on the faces of the Chinese airport staff was just wonderful, especially by some first time visitors. After asking curiously a number of folks ? we were directed to a booth labeled 'L' to get our boarding passes on our transit route to Beijing. Two be-swiling Chinese ladies assisted us with a sense of eagerness. We felt at home. It all went well. Our flight on Air China ? CA 1302, which was scheduled for 0800 saw several dozen passengers queuing to begin their journey. We were in no hurry until the Air China staff in charge of cross-checking our boarding passes showed up.
Systematically, we passed by the pretty busy CA attendant. And we boarded on a somewhat two and a half hours cruise that turned out to be three hours. There was difference of 30 minutes ? not much of a big difference though. Our final destination ? Beijing ? was covered after an additional arduous and approximately 29 minutes of hectic air cruise. This is the capital of China, Asia's biggest gun of all time.
We were overwhelmed by the splendor and creative engineering exuberance carved out to sell China to the world for all first time visitors. Billions must have been invested in dexterity as innovations had punctuated. Beijing Airport is number one in our view. Our analysis is subject to review, but we have seen one of the world's best investments in terms of airports. Yes, China has brought a new flavor to the world. Africa is watching and must do so with a passion for emulation.
China remains a great lesson. Some English-speaking Chinese folks were detailed to receive and guide our stay in case of problem. With out incident, Billy, a young Chinese sophomore student at the China Foreign Affairs University bore a placard with our names clearly engraved. He enthusiastically received and welcomed us to the land of the Great Chinese people. We headed for the University facility where we were ushered in our respective rooms and by 0100 a.m. local time, we went to bed. The beginning of a two-week exchange partnership visit to China had begun. What can we say? Thank you China!
(Ekena is writing from Beijing)
Source: The Heritage Newspaper, June 4, 2008
