African diplomats plan to develop closer economic and trade ties with China

Twenty-nine diplomats from 15 African countries visited the pilot zone for the In-Depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Program in central China's Hunan Province from July 27 to 29. They expressed confidence in China's economy and said they expected closer economic and trade ties between their country and China.

Despite recurring COVID-19 outbreaks, the diplomats said China's economy is resilient and the Chinese market is full of opportunities. 

"China-Africa trade and economic cooperation has been increasing in the last 20 years," said Mbelwa Kairuki, the Tanzanian ambassador to China who is convinced that there will be more opportunities for Tanzania to export products to China, especially high value-added products.

China has been South Africa's largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years. Last year, the trade volume between the two countries increased to 54.35 billion U.S. dollars, up 50.7 per cent. South Africa is also one of the largest investment destinations for Chinese enterprises in Africa. By the end of last year, China's total investment in South Africa exceeded 25 billion U.S. dollars.

"We are very impressed about the development of China since the reform and opening-up, because we have seen that China is growing in strength," said South African ambassador to China Siyabonga Cyprian Cwele, adding that China-Africa economic and trade cooperation has brought opportunities and development to developing countries.

Bilateral trade and investment have brought practical benefits to people not only in China but also in other developing countries, by creating jobs and better lives, Cwele said.

"That's what you call a community with a shared future for mankind," he added.

According to the General Administration of Customs, trade between China and Africa reached an all-time high of 254.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, up 35.3 per cent year on year, of which Africa exported 105.9 billion dollars of goods to China, up 43.7 per cent, as reported by Xinhua News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS.

Photo: Xinhua News Agency