Among the exhibits displayed in the Exhibition of Diplomatic Gifts Received by China's Leaders currently on display in Beijing, a gift from Burkina Faso stands out for its deep cultural significance as a symbol of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
The China-Africa relationship is once again in the spotlight as the 2024 summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) approaches. Episode 5 of CGTN's special program "Gifts of Friendship" featured a bronze sculpture of a baobab tree presented by then-Burkina Faso President Roch Marc Christian Kabore to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Baobab trees are a unique plant growing on the African savanna. The trees can grow to heights of several dozen meters, with trunks so thick that some can take more than 30 people holding hands to encircle. Their large, bread-shaped fruit is a favorite food for many species of monkey in the region.
"This copper sculpture of a baobab tree was presented to President Xi Jinping by his then-Burkina Faso counterpart Kabore during his visit to China when he attended the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2018 upon invitation," said Hou Chunyan, curator of the exhibition.
In Burkina Faso and other African nations, baobab trees symbolize vitality, resilience, and adaptability. They frequently appear in social rituals and art. This artwork also showcases the rich tradition of copper sculpture in West Africa.
"Burkina Faso's copper-sculpting skills are renowned throughout West Africa. Copper items are often used to symbolize longevity and continuity. [This gift] not only reflects Burkina Faso's distinct cultural and geographical traits and traditional craftsmanship, but also conveys its sincere wishes for an enduring friendship and lasting peace between the two countries," said Hou.
The 2024 summit of the FOCAC will be held in the Chinese capital city of Beijing from Sept. 4 to 6. The summit, under the theme of "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future," is expected to include the participation of African heads of state, as well as representatives from regional and international African organizations involved in summit-related activities.
Gift featuring unique African tree symbolizes good wishes for China-Burkina Faso ties
Governments at all levels across China are promoting consumer goods trade-ins and industrial equipment upgrade with preferential policies and subsidies, bringing about significant growth in home appliance sales and equipment production. So far this year, the trade-in policies have brought a total sale of one trillion yuan (about 137 billion U.S. dollars) nationwide, and boosted production of trade-in-related goods like new energy vehicles (NEVs) and home-use freezers.
In Shanghai, in addition to the eight categories of nationwide subsidized products, like refrigerators, television sets, and computers, the local government introduced extra subsidies for additional home appliances, as well as interior materials, furniture, elderly-friendly products, and more to meet local needs.
According to statistics, Shanghai's trade-ins of home appliances have exceeded 6.4 million times, boosting trade of the eight categories by 30 to 40 percent compared to last year's statistics, and the total sales of home appliances on all platforms exceeded 10 billion yuan (about 1.37 billion U.S. dollars).
In central China's Hubei Province, the local government is providing subsidies unlimited times for passenger vehicles trade-ins, expanding subsidized kitchen and bathroom appliances, and involving interior goods and materials to the list, benefiting consumers in over 4.5 million transactions and bringing a total sale of 50 billion yuan (about 6.8 billion U.S. dollars).
In the first three quarters, industrial equipment upgrade policies have stimulated investments in equipment and tools, featuring a 16.4 percent year-on-year increase, with food manufacturing, agricultural products processing, and metal smelting equipment production increasing by 38.1 percent, 34.6 percent, and 13.2 percent, respectively.
In addition to consumer goods, governments at all levels have been actively offering allowances and providing guidance for companies to upgrade appliances and technologies to facilitate domestic consumption "We have applied for nearly 50 million yuan (about 6.8 million U.S. dollars) funding for equipment upgrades. With active advertising and mobilization, we encouraged local advantageous companies in machinery and medicine and health to apply, and provide guidance for them on company digitalization and technology upgrade," said Yu Biao, deputy director of the Development and Reform Bureau of Xinchang County in Shaoxing City of east China's Zhejiang Province.
Companies are also benefiting from the policy, and many are pursuing expansion with government allowances.
"We have benefited from the 'one-time pre-tax deduction policy for equipment and tools under 5 million yuan (about 680,000 U.S. dollars)' and reinvested additional funds for the Phase II expansion. As a result, the annual processing capacity has increased from 80,000 tonnes to 130,000 tonnes," said Tang Kaibo, general manager of Liaoning Lvyuan Renewable Energy Development Co., Ltd.
Local governments promote trade-ins, equipment upgrade with policies, subsidies
