As the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) holds its 2024 summit in Beijing from Sept 4 to 6, the long-standing partnership between China and African nations is once again in the spotlight.
This partnership has been significantly strengthened through various initiatives and platforms, most notably the China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum, which takes place concurrently with the CIIE.
Looking back at the 2018 FOCAC summit in Beijing, China proposed the “Eight Major Initiatives”, which included support for African countries’ participation in the CIIE as part of trade facilitation efforts. Since then, African countries have eagerly accepted the invitation, with many viewing the expo as a critical gateway to new opportunities for development and growth.
Opportunity for tapping into the Chinese market
As China’s cross-border e-commerce platforms continue to expand, many African businesses have leveraged the CIIE to go digital. For example, during the expo, Ethiopian coffee brand Gera signed agreements to sell Yirgacheffe and Sidamo coffee on popular Chinese e-commerce platforms. This means that Chinese consumers can order these high-quality coffees online.
An Ethiopian coffee brand signs an agreement to join a Chinese cross-border e-commerce platform at the 3rd CIIE. [Photo/www.cnr.cn]
Unlike in the past, when African exporters had to rely on intermediaries to access Chinese markets, the CIIE enabled African companies to connect directly with Chinese customers. The African agricultural products pavilion at the 6th CIIE showcased 20 agricultural exporters from nine of Africa’s least developed countries, including Niger, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Benin. During the expo, African exhibitors engaged with over 300 Chinese companies, leading to higher-than-expected procurement deals.
Gambia, a regular participant in the CIIE, has achieved significant success through key procurement deals. Gambia signed investment agreements with several Chinese companies during the 6th CIIE. A representative from the Gambian Ministry of Trade and Industry expressed optimism that these new projects will drive further economic growth in the country.
Furthermore, the first six editions of the CIIE provided over 400 free standard booths to Africa’s least developed countries, providing them with a valuable platform to showcase their products.
A stage for African voices
In the past six years, seven African heads of state and government leaders have addressed the main forum of the Hongqiao Forum. Aside from the main forum, guests from various sectors in Africa have gathered at Hongqiao Forum to discuss the benefits of openness.
During the release of the “World Openness Report 2023” at the 6th Hongqiao Forum, Albert Muchanga, the African Union commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, stated that Africa is committed to creating an open global economy. He welcomed the report’s release, believing that it would contribute to greater openness and enhance cooperation between China and Africa in areas such as the Belt and Road Initiative, industrial and agricultural modernization, and talent development.
In April, a consultation on the themes and topics of the 7th Hongqiao Forum was held in Johannesburg, South Africa. About 40 experts from Africa’s government, industry, academia, and research sectors engaged in productive discussions, and expressed a strong desire to attend this year’s forum.
The 7th Hongqiao Forum will focus on the theme “High-Standard Opening up for Universally Beneficial and Inclusive Economic Globalization”, with sustainable development in the Global South and China-Africa cooperation among the key topics. This year’s Hongqiao Forum is expected to bring together, “African wisdom” at the NECC (Shanghai), contributing to the ongoing dialogue on China-Africa cooperation.
Strengthening China-Africa trade ties
Since the beginning of the year, the presidents of Sierra Leone, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea have all visited China and signed joint statements with their Chinese counterparts. The invitation to participate in the CIIE was the standout feature of these statements, underscoring China’s commitment to expanding trade relations with Africa.
In 2024, the global promotional campaign for the 7th CIIE visited several African countries, including Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Benin, Egypt, and Morocco, and extended genuine invitations to African nations to attend the expo. During these promotional events, attendees discussed their hopes and expectations for the upcoming CIIE.
Shadiya Alimatou Assouman, Benin’s Minister of Industry and Trade, stated that the CIIE provides a large platform for Benin’s high-quality agricultural products to enter the Chinese market and that she hopes to see more of Benin’s premium products showcased at the 7th CIIE.
Mehdi Laraki, chairman of the Morocco-China Business Council at the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises, expressed strong interest in exporting Moroccan agricultural products to China, hoping to establish and expand their presence in the Chinese market through the CIIE.
As China’s reforms and advance its modernization efforts deepen, more opportunities for China and Africa to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and achieve shared development will emerge. Through platforms like CIIE and FOCAC, the two sides will continue to chart a new path for China-Africa cooperation.
Sources: People’s Daily, Xinhua News Agency, mobile application of CCTV News, China News Service, www.gmw.cn, The Paper, www.guancha.cn, www.cnpharm.com, WeChat account: shanghaifabu, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chinese embassy in Botswana
