African reporters visit the cross-border e-commerce warehouse in Jinhua, East China's Zhejiang province, on May 30. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]

Twenty-one news reporters from 20 African countries visited Jinhua, East China's Zhejiang province, on May 30.

The reporters visited the city's East China International Intermodal Logistics Center to learn about transport channels such as the Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe freight train and Yiwu-Ningbo-Zhoushan shipping route.

During their visit, reporters posed questions about if and when the Sino-European freight trains will go to Africa and what commodities the freight trains carry.

A representative of the logistics responded that the freight train service has not opened a route to Africa, but the route to Italy can transfer products made in China to North African countries.

Dorothy Chisi, a reporter with Times of Zambia, praised the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, noting that it has assisted African countries in building railways.

Chisi added that the railways have laid a good foundation for launching freight trains between China and Africa and play a significant role in strengthening ties between Chinese and African peoples.

Chisi noted that there are many Chinese-funded factories in Zambia that have made contributions to the local economy.

The reporter delegation also visited the bulk commodity warehouse, cross-border e-commerce warehouse, and import commodity direct sales center in Jinhua's comprehensive bonded zone, witnessing the rapid economic development in Jinhua.

Paheja Siririka, a reporter from Namibia's New Times, expressed his hope that China will expand cooperation with Africa in foreign trade, which will in turn aid Africa's poverty alleviation drive.

Siririka added that he will write more news about the city's culture, industries, e-commerce and logistics and act as a bridge connecting China and Africa.