Beijing holds dialog to enhance China-Africa cooperation in education

China

Beijing holds dialog to enhance China-Africa cooperation in education

2024-09-08 13:45 Last Updated At：22:47

A China-Africa-UNESCO dialog on education and cultural heritage protection was held in Beijing on Friday, with China committing to enhancing cooperation with Africa in the education sector.

Under the theme of collaboration for advancing educational development and protecting cultural heritage in Africa, the dialog explored areas including transformation of digital education, higher education, vocational education and youth employment, teacher capacity building, and cultural heritage protection.

Over 40 representatives from China, Africa and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) attended the dialog.

"We signed an MoU (memorandum of understanding) for cooperation for the first time in 44 years of diplomatic relations between China and Zimbabwe, for higher learning between our TVET institution program in exchanging students, in training of students in different areas of endeavor for higher learning between our TVET institutions," said Amon Murwira, Zimbabwe's Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development.

A document on the initiative for China-Africa cooperation in education and cultural heritage protection was issued at the meeting, according to a statement released by China's Ministry of Education after the event.

The meeting also issued a plan on cooperation between Chinese and African universities, and announced the launch of five centers for China-Africa cooperation in fields such as Chinese language, vocational skills education and teacher training, the statement said.

"In recent years, we have formed partnerships with 17 countries and 67 higher education research centers in Africa. We are currently developing new micro-credential courses aimed at providing continuous capacity building for 35,000 African educators," said Jin Li, director of the UNESCO International Center for Higher Education Innovation.

Beijing consumer gold market remains hot despite rising prices

2024-09-17 04:15 Last Updated At：08:17

Beijing's consumer gold market has been running hot during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, despite recent rises in the gold price on international markets.

Last week, the main contract for gold futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange (COMEX) has risen to over 2,600 U.S. dollars per ounce.

At a gold shop in Beijing's Xicheng District, the price of pure gold jewelry went up to about 737 yuan (about 104 U.S. dollars) per gram, but many shoppers are still looking to buy gold jewelry especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday and the end-of-summer wedding season.

"It is now more than 700 yuan (about 98.7 U.S. dollars) per gram, but when we were here about two months ago, it was only just above 600 yuan (about 84.6 U.S. dollars) per gram," said a customer.

"I'm getting married, so I came to have a look. Even if the price goes up, we still have to buy it," said another customer.

"I had nothing to do during the holidays, so I came here to take a look [at the gold jewelry]. I just bought a lucky charm bead and now I want to take a look at the bracelet," said another customer.

At the shop's gold investment counter, many consumers have been making inquiries about gold bars, which has long been considered a safe investment, although experts recommend caution in the rising gold market.

At the shop's gold investment counter, many consumers have been inquiring about gold bars, which have long been considered a safe investment. However, experts recommend caution in the rising gold market.

"Many investors will buy gold bars for medium- to long-term investment based on their expected price as part of their overall family asset allocation. We suggest that investors be more rational in their decisions," said Li Yang, a senior gold investment analyst.