Leaders from over 50 African nations have recently arrived in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation from Sept 4 to 6. During a news conference on Sept 4, the collaborations between Jinhua, Zhejiang province, and Africa took center stage.
From 2014 to 2023, Jinhua's trade with Africa surged to 740.27 billion yuan ($104.26 billion), with a 12.1 percent average annual growth rate. In 2023, its exports to Africa hit a milestone, surpassing 100 billion yuan and constituting 34.4 percent of the province's total.
The city has also developed into a pivotal hub for African goods entering China, leveraging its free trade zones, bonded areas, specialized markets, and logistical networks.
At the news conference, Zhu Chonglie, Party secretary of Jinhua, recounted his visit to African factories established by Jinhua entrepreneurs in March where he witnessed vibrant operations and strong business growth. African workers expressed gratitude for the employment opportunities and friendships fostered by Chinese enterprises.
Jinhua now hosts a growing number of African students, with over 2,200 currently enrolled in local universities. These institutions have collectively educated more than 13,000 African students from 53 countries.
The Institute of African Studies of Zhejiang Normal University in Jinhua has trained over 6,000 African officials, scholars, and experts since its inception in 2007.
During the 8th China-Africa Youth Festival in May, African youth visited the China Wu Opera Grand Theater in Jinhua to experience the charm of Wuju Opera. Since 2015, the Zhejiang Wuju Opera Troupe from Jinhua has conducted five visits to Africa, performing in 39 shows across 12 countries, including South Africa, Zambia, Morocco, and Egypt.
