Ambassadors promote China-Africa cooperation at lecture tour in Shanxi

Seven diplomats from five African countries attended the Lecture Tour by Ambassadors from African Countries · Shanxi 2025 on Tuesday in Taiyuan, Shanxi province. The event aimed to advance the high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation.

The lectures drew connections between the speakers' respective national development and lessons that can be learned from China. In one lecture, Bertha Amakali of the Embassy of the Republic of Namibia noted that 2025 marked 35 years of Namibia's independence. She described her nation's ongoing efforts to reduce poverty, strengthen economic self-reliance, and develop its emerging oil and gas sector. She outlined areas where China could support this work, including investment in energy infrastructure, technical training for Namibian professionals, and long-term partnerships with Chinese energy enterprises.

Lu Xiangdong, vice-president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), noted in his address that the development priorities of African countries align with Shanxi's industrial transformation. He added that stronger people-to-people exchanges would help deepen China-Africa relations.

Li Guorong, deputy director of the Department of Commerce of Shanxi Province, said the province has established trade ties with more than 50 African countries and regions. He noted that Shanxi's import and export volume with South Africa, Guinea, Algeria, Zimbabwe, and Egypt has each surpassed 100 million yuan ($14.16 million). According to Li, Shanxi's trade with Africa rose from 5.25 billion yuan in 2020 to 11.17 billion yuan in 2024, with an average annual growth rate of 20.8 percent.

As Shanxi works towards China's dual-carbon goals, Li hopes for deeper cooperation between the two sides in project investment, technology exchanges, and trade in advanced equipment.

Daouda Bitie, Burkina Faso's Ambassador to China, described Shanxi as a pivotal hub in practical China-Africa cooperation. He cited the province's energy collaboration and skills training efforts, saying they have yielded tangible results and supported bilateral ties. He also noted opportunities in culture, people-to-people exchanges, and energy.

Abigail Shoniwa, Ambassador of Zimbabwe to China, said she was impressed by Shanxi's transition toward green development and its push for industrial diversification through innovation. She also drew parallels between the two nations in terms of thriving culture and numerous cultural heritage sites. She sees opportunities to learn from China's culture-tourism integration.

Dong Xiaolin, director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Shanxi Province, stated that the cooperation with Africa is an important component of Shanxi's opening-up. He said Shanxi aims to work with ambassadors to promote the province abroad and to strengthen cultural understanding. He added that Shanxi will continue introducing African history and culture to locals and support visits by cultural exchange delegations.

The event was hosted by the CPAFFC and organized by the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Shanxi Province and the Shanxi Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

During the tour, the ambassadors visited the Jinci Museum in Taiyuan, Pingyao Ancient City in Jinzhong, and several local enterprises, exploring cooperation in cultural exchanges, green energy, and related fields.

Guo Shuya and Ding Yi contributed to this story.