Burundian president explores clean energy collaboration in Foshan

Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye visited Foshan City in south China's Guangdong Province on Friday, to explore possible collaboration with environmental protection and hydrogen industries based there.

During his stay in Foshan, Ndayishimiye visited an industrial park which prioritizes environmental protection, with a highly automated incineration process that converts urban waste into electricity, a solution that could help tackle Burundi's waste management and power supply challenges.

According to the United Nations, Africa's urban population is growing faster than anywhere else in the world and a growing middle class with changing consumption habits is intensifying waste management challenges.

Ndayishimiye also toured a hydrogen technology center, showcasing hydrogen-powered vehicles from shared bikes to heavy-duty trucks.

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of hydrogen energy. Seen as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels, hydrogen is key to China's climate goals, and could help bridge Africa's energy gap as the continent's population and economy grow.

With more than 150 companies in the sector based there, Foshan's Nanhai district leads China's hydrogen push.

China and Burundi celebrated 60 years of diplomatic relations last year. Chinese experts are helping to fight poverty in Burundi through crop innovation, particularly hybrid rice. China pledged 50 billion US dollars in financial support to Africa over the next three years, with Burundi among the countries set to benefit from a fresh wave of Chinese investment.

Before the visit to Guangdong, President Ndayishimiye was in Beijing to attend the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The three-day FOCAC summit, which concluded on Friday, was the largest diplomatic event hosted by China in recent years, with the highest attendance of foreign leaders.

Themed "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future," the event aimed to strengthen friendship and outline future cooperation between the two sides.

Burundian president explores clean energy collaboration in Foshan

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