As NPC deputies and CPPCC members deliberate on China's 15th Five-Year Plan, the real story for the Global South is how it can make giant leaps in technology. China's shift to new quality productive forces in the development plan, from AI to green energy, offers Africa a shortcut to a high-tech future. CGTN Africa's Peninah Karibe reports from Beijing on this new modernization roadmap.

PENINAH KARIBE Beijing "The buzz here at the Two Sessions in Beijing is electric, and from an African lens, I'm interested in the direction the economy is heading."

China is launching its 15th Five-Year Plan, and the keyword is "New Quality Productive Forces." For Africa, this is our shortcut. We're not just looking at old-school industrialization; we're talking about skipping the "smokestack" era and jumping straight into the digital age.

Green manufacturing is the new engine. With 2026 marking 70 years of China-Africa diplomatic ties, the focus is shifting. China's leadership in green tech is providing the tools for Africa to build a sustainable, self-reliant future without the environmental cost.

TIAN JIQUN Deputy, National People's Congress "I think it's about bringing China's advanced manufacturing equipment, especially with the background of new-quality productive forces, to create new application scenarios in Africa's vast market. On the one hand, this will improve local manufacturing levels and serve local economic and social development. On the other hand, it can also explore some development paths for Africa's future technological advancement."

FENG YIDONG National Committee Member, Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference "Because our country's current green technology is, to some extent, already in a relatively leading position internationally. Some Global South countries may still be in a relatively extensive development stage. So we can promote and introduce some of our green, low-carbon, high-quality technologies to these countries."

SUN XIANZHONG Deputy and Standing Committee Member, National People's Congress "We also very much hope that these new-quality productive forces and Chinese technology can help our African friends, help friends in other countries around the world, and promote the development of their national economy and people's livelihood."

PENINAH KARIBE Beijing "And there's a massive catalyst: come May 1st, 53 African nations will get zero-tariff access to the Chinese market. This isn't just trade; it's an invitation for African innovation to go global."

SUN XIANZHONG Deputy and Standing Committee Member, National People's Congress "The relationship between China and Africa is now very good. Especially, the Chinese people have always had good feelings towards Africa, and we always maintain a sincere heart. From a legal perspective, we have played a very good role in various aspects of economic and trade cooperation, and we also hope for better development in the future."

PENINAH KARIBE Beijing "The 'Modernization Plan' being debated here this week is a shared one. It proves that in 2026, the Global South isn't just following, we're leapfrogging. 

cgtn.com