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Chinese, African entrepreneurs vow to forge stronger partnership

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Chinese, African entrepreneurs vow to forge stronger partnership

2024-09-07 21:35 Last Updated At:09-08 00:27

Business leaders from China and Africa on Friday enthusiastically endorsed the cooperation towards stronger commercial partnership between the two sides at the eighth Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs, a key event of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Focusing on two topics - promoting the integration of industrial and supply chains, and the development of emerging industries, this year's conference has attracted more than 1,000 participants, including over 400 representatives from business associations and institutions across 48 African countries.

Organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and China's Ministry of Commerce, the conference is the highest-level economic and trade event within the FOCAC framework for the business communities of both sides.

Many of the business leaders pointed out that a series of new cooperation measures announced during the summit would be conducive to the further integration of industrial and supply chains between China and Africa.

In his keynote speech at the FOCAC summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that the country would give all LDCs having diplomatic relations with China, including 33 countries in Africa, zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines.

"The tariff free opportunities that have been given to the African nations has a huge opportunity for Ethiopian Airlines in providing logistics service for all African nations to bring in their products into China," said Aman Wole Gurmu, country director of China for Ethiopian Airlines, which has been operating in the Chinese market for the past 51 years.

"Now, Africa still has a relatively large demand for equipment, especially high-end equipment for civil aviation. This time, we have signed some intent orders. It is estimated that our trade volume, especially for overseas trade in Africa, may reach 8 million U.S. dollars by the end of this year," said Ma Haibing, chairman of Jiangsu Lantian Aerospace Industrial Park.

Meanwhile, there is enormous potential for cooperation between China and Africa in emerging fields such as digital economy, green development, and artificial intelligence. Conference participants said that the summit creates opportunities for them to explore new partnership.

"Some companies are on IT. Some companies are in mining, energy, agricultural products and also food and beverages. So, we also have manufacturers, and all are collaborating with Chinese companies already. But they are also looking for more collaboration, more partners in new projects they have," said Jeanne Francoise Mubiligi, chairperson of Rwanda's Private Sector Federation.

"Modern emerging industries, such as smart healthcare, smart electronics, and smart transportation have great potential to be introduced to these countries and regions. The practical applications of Chinese manufacturing and emerging technologies can be realized in Africa. The market has broad prospects. We also hope to seize this opportunity," said Jia Shaoqian, chairman of China's home appliances and electronics manufacturer Hisense Group.

Chinese, African entrepreneurs vow to forge stronger partnership

Chinese, African entrepreneurs vow to forge stronger partnership

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China, Russia hold annual strategic security consultation

2024-11-13 00:52 Last Updated At:02:17

China and Russia held the 19th round of their annual strategic security consultation in Beijing on Tuesday, with both sides exchanging in-depth views on major issues of common concern related to strategic security.

The meeting was co-chaired by Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, and Sergei Shoigu, secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council.

Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, Wang said that under the leadership of the two heads of state, China-Russia relations have maintained sound, stable momentum amid changes in global affairs.

Both sides adhere to the principles of lasting good-neighborliness and friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination, and mutually beneficial cooperation, all of which serve the fundamental interests of the two peoples, Wang observed.

He said that China and Russia have supported each other firmly on issues concerning their core interests, deepened political mutual trust and promoted practical cooperation, creating a new model for relations between neighboring major countries, and significantly promoting solidarity and cooperation within the Global South.

Guided by the consensus reached by the two heads of state, the China-Russia strategic security consultation mechanism should strengthen coordination on strategic and overarching issues related to the security and development interests of both sides, Wang said.

Wang also called for enhanced exchange and multilateral coordination between the two countries amid the changing international landscape, so as to provide a strong guarantee for the high-level development momentum of China-Russia relations and ensure that the two countries work together to maintain global strategic stability.

Shoigu said that Russia is willing to work with China to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, and enhance bilateral cooperation and coordination within multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, aiming to promote the continuous development of Russia-China relations.

China, Russia hold annual strategic security consultation

China, Russia hold annual strategic security consultation

China, Russia hold annual strategic security consultation

China, Russia hold annual strategic security consultation

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