Cooperation with China propels industrialization, agricultural modernization in Africa: officials

China-Africa cooperation has yielded fruitful results and boosted progress in industrialization and agricultural modernization in Africa, said officials from African countries on Thursday.

On Thursday afternoon, a high-level meeting for industrialization and agricultural modernization was held in Beijing as part of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The summit which opened the previous day is the largest diplomatic event hosted by China in recent years, with the highest attendance of foreign leaders.

Leaders from both China and African countries co-hosted the meeting, attended by members of various African delegations.

"We will continue to look at suitable Chinese partners in industry. The range is wide, (including) pharmaceutical, mining, agriculture, agro-industry. We will continue seeking those partners. And we already have well-established places where these companies will link up with Cameroon as to form sustainable partnerships," said Fuh Calistus Gentry, Interim Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development of Cameroon.

The 2024 FOCAC summit focuses on "modernization," providing an opportunity to "improve quality and efficiency" in China-Africa cooperation.

In Africa, China has established 17 Luban Workshops, a vocational training program named for a legendary Chinese architect. Among the topics of discussion at the summit was how these workshops have helped inject new growth of local manufacturing and mining industries.

"We need to boost the images of medium or large scale exploitation. This is very important to achieve SDG One and Two, that means zero hunger and alleviating poverty in our country," said Mbairobe Gabriel, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Cameroon

"Lualaba is the one, is the capital of cobalt in the world. We have copper, we are second in the world. We have also lithium that we found. Now we have got nickel, we have got manganese. What we need now is only electricity," said Masuka Saini Fifi, Governor of Lualaba Province of Democratic Republic of the Congo. By the end of last year, China had established 24 agricultural technology demonstration centers in Africa, promoting over 300 advanced agricultural technologies that benefit more than one million smallholder farmers. The development of agricultural and trade cooperation between China and Africa has been robust, with China placing a high value on importing African specialty products, which have experienced a growth rate of over 10 percent for several consecutive years.

In 2023, China became Africa's second-largest destination for agricultural exports.

The 2024 FOCAC summit has produced concrete outcomes, charting a roadmap for China and Africa to work concertedly to pursue modernization, which is poised to enhance South-South cooperation and drive global development.

Cooperation with China propels industrialization, agricultural modernization in Africa: officials

Truck drivers and their cargoes sought refuge in a Shanghai activity hub as Typhoon Bebinca, the strongest typhoon to hit the city in decades, made landfall on Monday morning, unleashing heavy rains and winds exceeding 160 kilometers per hour.

In the Pudong District, situated on the southeastern tip of Shanghai, the impact of Typhoon Bebinca was stark, with trees and road signs uprooted, construction sites disrupted, and bicycles scattered across the ground.

Shanghai is not prone to strong typhoons, but local authorities have made emergency plans.

In Lingang Special Area, an activity hub was transformed into a temporary shelter for over 130 truck drivers and their cargoes.

"With such strong winds, it's not safe to park my truck on the street. Trees could fall. Parking here is a safer choice. The service is good here. It's clean, and it also provides food. We can take a shower here," said Wang Shaodong, a truck driver from east China's Anhui Province.

"The Donghai Bridge has been closed, as the typhoon is approaching. That's why we came here. They provide us with bedding, and air conditioners were turned on. So we are staying here. There are also meals downstairs," said Gong Xiangge, a hazardous cargo driver from east China's Shandong Province.

"We call these truck drivers 'men living on wheels.' The 13th typhoon [of this year] brought gales, with maximum wind speed reaching 36.9 meters per second, so danger may come at any time. So staying on the side of the street is unsafe for both trucks and drivers," said Fan Jianrong, deputy director of Lingang Special Area Investment Holding Group.

Although traffic resumed on all roads and bridges across Shanghai starting from 20:00 on Monday, precautions are still in place as Typhoon Pulasan, the 14th of the year, has formed in the northeastern Pacific and could follow a similar path to Typhoon Bebinca.

The director of the center said that the shelter remains open to those in need, ensuring that assistance is readily available for individuals affected by the poor weather.

Truck drivers seek shelter as powerful typhoon hits Shanghai