Business leaders from China and Africa attending the Eighth Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs voiced support for the strengthening of China-Africa economic and trade relations, expressing optimism about deepening cooperation across key sectors.
The conference, which was held in Beijing on Friday, was an important supporting event of the just-concluded 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
At the opening ceremony of the FOCAC Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed ten partnership actions for modernization. These actions have resonated with the development needs of the African continent, according to participants.
"The new initiatives that he has launched, and to me renewable energy, novel technologies especially ICT, as well as agriculture. These are the key needs of Africa," said Alaaeldin Esmat Abdelhamid Ezz, secretary general of the Union of African Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Professions. African participants said that China's collaboration with Africa exemplifies respect and does not come with any political conditions, significantly enhancing connectivity and fostering the economic and social development of African nations.
In addition to strengthening cooperation, they highlighted that China's successful experience in modernization will serve as an inspiration for African countries.
"China has moved very fast in terms of modernization, both in terms of infrastructure and also in the issue of electric vehicles, etc. So we are here not only to just do business but to learn. And we believe we can learn a lot from China to make sure that we go green in Zimbabwe," said Allan Majuru, CEO of ZimTrade.
"We hope to strengthen cooperation with China in many areas. For me, the priority is food self-sufficiency. I hope to learn from China's experience and duplicable technology in this area," said Abou Simbel Ouattara, founder and CEO of Moablaou, an agricultural company in Burkina Faso.
Meanwhile, an increasing number of Chinese companies are planning to expand their business relationships with African countries, especially in terms of high-quality products.
"We will deliver more high-end civil aviation equipment to Africa. We will take an important step by taking China's high-quality products, including domestically produced large aircraft, overseas," said Ma Haibing, chairman of the Jiangsu Lantian Aerospace Industrial Park.
"China's current product capabilities, research and development levels, manufacturing capabilities, and ongoing digital and intelligent transformation can serve as an exemplary case as well as a guidance for the African continent. We have high expectations for it," said Jia Shaoqian, Chairman of Hisense Group.
An official from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) emphasized the importance of streamlining industrial and supply chains between the two sides, which will create more development opportunities and promote shared prosperity.
"China and Africa are highly complementary in terms of industrial and supply chains. CCPIT will continue to play its role in connecting governments and enterprises, promoting internal and external integration, and balancing supply and demand. We will make good use of cooperation platforms such as China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) to promote the high-quality development of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation and turning China's big market into a big opportunity for Africa," said Zhang Shaogang, deputy director of CCPIT.
Held in Beijing from Wednesday to Friday, the 2024 FOCAC summit brought together leaders from China and over 50 African countries, who highlighted the common pursuit of China and African countries in realizing modernization.
Chinese, African business leaders optimistic about deepening cooperation prospects
Chinese, African business leaders optimistic of deepening cooperation prospects
