A delegation of African journalists who had just finished covering a major event on China-Africa cooperation in Beijing traveled to southwest China's Chongqing Municipality to enjoy the charm of the mountainous city.
The three-day 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) concluded in the Chinese capital on Friday. Some African journalists took advantage of being in China to learn more about the country.
At Liziba Station, one of Chongqing's must-visit spots, these journalists were amazed by a surreal scene that light rail trains run through a residential building.
Thousands of people visit the site every day, not for the public transportation, but to take pictures of the railway line through a 19-story building.
The journalists were curious about the story behind the rail line, such as how does the government reduce the noise and maintain the railway without disturbing residents, and how much was invested to build the station.
"Many lessons to learn, many things to behold. It's amazing to see things made easy, soft touch. That's the kind of work we do. But I think we only desire that this be done in Africa. It's a desire that in our generation, our children will grow up to see what parents have really done to make life worth living. Kudos to China, kudos to concepts of modernization," said Fortune Egbeji Abang, a Nigerian journalist.
The delegation was also invited to a local teahouse for a rest since it was scorching hot in Chongqing.
The traditional long-spout teapot pouring performance and the Sichuan Opera's face-changing techniques clearly left a deep impression on these African guests.
"They really like their culture, and they protect their culture. And this is the message for me that I'm taking from now that it's better to protect your culture because as you can see we are here, so many people from African countries just to explore and see and experience about Chinese culture. And I think, because we, as African people, we have our own culture. And I think we are sharing now," said Abubakar Harithi Bakar, a Tanzanian journalist.
The reporters said they hope to use the visit as an opportunity to introduce Chongqing to audiences back home.
Through their lenses and articles, they say, they want to promote more cultural exchanges and understanding between China and Africa.
African journalists experience Chongqing vibes
The fifth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) opened in south China's island province of Hainan on Sunday with a record scale of global participation.
More than 1,700 companies from 71 countries and regions are participating in China's only national-level exhibition focused on consumer goods, showcasing over 4,100 brands.
Two special exhibition zones, respectively, on artificial intelligence (AI) and low-altitude economy applications, are set for the first time in Hall No. 1, where nearly 90 enterprises are showcasing their newest products and services, including more than 20 leading corporations in consumer electronics and cutting-edge sci-techs.
Brands like Huawei and Unitree are demonstrating products such as the latest smartphones and humanoid robots.
Live displays of low-altitude techs, such as Xpeng AeroHT's "flying car" and EHang's drones for cross-sea transport and tourism, are taking center stage.
China's Ministry of Commerce, one of the organizers of the CICPE, launched the "Shopping in China" campaign on Sunday morning, a nationwide initiative promoting shopping, dining, and tourism, as well as exhibitions and performances with about 30 activities throughout the year.
"Since five years (ago), we [have been participating in this] Hainan expo. We have now a company in Hainan. I am now living in Hainan. We have customers all over China. It's very big. The opportunity of China is the size of the market," said Ramel Francois Felix, CEO of Les Vignerons du Castelas.
"When we joined the consumer products expo last year, 80 percent of the exhibits we brought here were produced exactly according to designs for Pakistani people. So this year, we have brought different exhibits, many of which were designed with Chinese cultural elements," said a Pakistani exhibitor.
The first Singaporean exhibition group of enterprises appeared at the expo.
"Singapore selected five enterprises to attend the fifth CICPE. China's huge consumer market is their primary focus, and they hope this expo will help them enter the Chinese market and find some good business partners to sell their products better," said Liu Peng, chief representative with the Singapore representative office of the Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development.
The 2025 CICPE is bridging global brands with China's market, highlighting Hainan's role as a key free trade hub.
China International Consumer Products Expo opens with record scale of global participation
