Africa, an old continent abundant in cultures and traditions, is now embracing a brand new era characterized by scientific and technological development.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Currently, the internet transmission speed in Senegal has reached 1.4Gbps, where web browsing, uploading, downloading, receiving and sending information via the internet, have become faster and smoother.

Libya, in the north of Africa, has also put a third generation (3G) communication network into commercial use, with the help of a Chinese communication company. This is the first 3G network officially launched in north Africa, and the biggest in Africa as a whole.

Currently, 47 out of the 53 African countries, have access to the internet, while ten years ago there were only five. This shows that the "digital divide" between Africa and the West is narrowing.

The investment in the infrastructure of telecommunications in African countries have grown annually, with central African countries increasing their investments by more than 10 percent on average every year.

African leaders have suggested that every country should put 1 percent of their GDP into its scientific and technological development, especially in the building of telecommunication and information infrastructures.

BIOLOGICAL TECHNOLOGY

Out of the world's 500 million starving population, 200 million live on the African continent.

In order to improve the output of crops to feed more people, and to increase the adaptability of certain crops to harsh environments, many African countries have begun using biological technologies in agriculture, such as genetic modification. This is to improve crop yield and their nutrition value, as well as their ability to sustain against drought and insects.

Countries including Egypt, South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe have made genetically modified experiments on more than 20 kinds of crops, and the quality of the crops has improved greatly.

CHINESE MEDICAL THERAPY

Malaria is a widespread disease in Africa, with 1 million children under the age of five dying from it every year. This means that one African child dies from malaria every 30 seconds.

African countries spend 12 billion U.S. dollars, or over 40 percent of their total medical expenses, on combating malaria.

During his visit to seven African countries in June this year, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao presented a miracle drug against malaria -- DUO COTECXIN. At the introduction of the World Health Organization and the UN Children's Fund, DUO COTECXIN has cured many malaria cases in 54 nations.

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Africa is rich in oil and natural gas. However, the continent benefits little from the exports of natural resources to Western countries. In Africa, log burning to meet local energy needs has led to massive deforestation, which is posing a severe threat to its ecological environment.

Realizing the problem and its consequences, many African countries, including Senegal, Mali and Niger, have started building solar power stations to promote the use of solar energy, especially in rural areas, in order to protect the forests, fill in the energy shortage, develop the economy, and improve people's lives.

Some African countries have also started large-scale plantations of a specific plant, from which a "biofuel" can be extracted, in a drive to explore new technologies to replace traditional sources of energy.

With the development of science and technology, Africa, a continent rich in natural resources, is bound to grow strong and prosperous in the future.

Source: Xinhua