President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo arrived in Beijing at 22:35 on Sunday to attend the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which will be held in the Chinese capital from September 4 to 6.
Located in the heart of Africa, The DRC has a population of over 100 million, comprising more than 250 ethnic groups. Its capital is Kinshasa, and the official language is French.
The country is exceptionally rich in natural resources, including a wide range of non-ferrous metals, rare metals, and non-metallic minerals. Notably, its copper reserves represent 15 percent of the world's total, making the DRC a crucial production and supply base for copper and cobalt.
Additionally, the DRC is endowed with extensive forest resources, accounting for 47 percent of Africa's forested area.
China is the largest trading partner and the top source of investment for the DRC. In 2021, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop the Belt and Road Initiative.
President Tshisekedi was elected in January 2019 and re-elected in January 2024. In May 2023, he visited China on a state visit, during which the two heads of state announced the upgrade of their bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
In the first half of 2024, bilateral trade between China and the DRC reached 12.34 billion U.S. dollars. Chinese companies in the DRC adhere to the principles of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, actively contributing to local communities to ensure that the benefits of China-Africa cooperation are genuinely felt by the local people.
The upcoming FOCAC summit's theme is "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future." Many African leaders, including Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairman of the African Union Commission, will lead delegations to the summit. UN Secretary-General António Guterres will attend as a special guest, and relevant international and regional organizations will participate as observers.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote speech at the summit’s opening ceremony on September 5.
Following the 2006 FOCAC Beijing Summit, the 2015 FOCAC Johannesburg Summit, and the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit, the upcoming summit will be another happy reunion for the friendly family of China and Africa. It will also be the largest diplomatic event hosted by China in recent years.
President of DR Congo arrives in Beijing for FOCAC summit
President of DR Congo arrives in Beijing for FOCAC summit
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
