The “2nd Guangdong-Africa Exchange and Cooperation Week 2020” held in GDUFS

North Campus, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, November 18^th 2020: Jointly hosted by the Guangdong Public Diplomacy Association, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangdong Committee (CCPIT) and GDUFS, the “A Shared World Thrives in Win-Win Cooperation: The 2nd Guangdong-Africa Exchange and Cooperation Week 2020” and “The 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation” was successfully held. The Guangdong-Africa Exchange Week 2020 was an important step of Guangdong’s implementation in response to the “Eight Actions” Initiative proposed by President Xi in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit. Leaders from the Committee of Political Consultative Conference; the Guangdong Province Committee of Political Consultative Conference; diplomats from various African countries; heads of the bureaus of Agriculture, Water Resources, Culture and Tourism, Education, Natural Resources, and CCPIT; counsels from 11 African countries; leaderships from the Guangdong Provincial Government of Foreign Affairs Office; as well as more than 300 Chinese and foreign guests attended the opening ceremony.

Forum on spot

WANG Rong, President of Guangdong Provincial Committee of CPCC presented at the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. GUO Jun, the Deputy Secretary of CPPCC, also the deputy team leader of the China-Africa Friendship Group of CPPCC; JI Peiding, former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs; Alima Danfakha Garoua, Consul General of the Consulate General of Mali in Guangzhou; FANG LIshu, President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangdong Committee; and the Party Committee Secretary of GDUFS SUI Guangjun also attended the opening ceremony and each delivered a speech. FU Lang, Executive Vice President of the Guangdong Public Diplomacy Association, presided.

WANG Rong giving a keynote speech

WANG Rong pointed out that Guangdong has made a success of China-Africa Cooperation. Next, Guangdong will keep on learning and promoting Xi’s Thoughts on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; fulfilling the commitment of walking at the forefront of the nation; further carrying forward the “Eight Actions” Initiative and the achievement of the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity Against COVID-19; enhancing reform and opening up; cultivating good will and push China-Africa comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level.

GUO Jun giving a speech

GUO Jun mentioned that Guangdong attaches great importance to the cooperation with African countries. In 2019, the total import and export trade between Guangdong and African countries constituted one fourth of the national total, which stood as a perfect example of the important position Guangdong holds in China-Africa Cooperation. The China-Africa Friendship Group of the CPPCC maintains the goal of enhancing cooperation between Guangdong and African countries, believing that a brighter future of the China-Africa Community for a Shared Future is promising.

JI Peiding giving a speech

JI Peiding underscored the importance of viewing the China-Africa Cooperation in a broader perspective as the current international situation is undergoing profound changes. He stressed the significance of carrying forward the Belt and Road Initiative as well as the Spirit of the FOCAC; promoting cooperation and connection between China and African countries in diverse areas; enhancing cultural exchanges and learning from each other; and cultivating the strong friendship between China and African countries.

Alima Danfakha Gakou giving a speech

Gakou thanked China for its unremitting efforts made on the social and economic development of Africa for the well-being of the African people. She believed that, in continuation of the spirit of the FOCAC, the event further strengthened friendly and cooperative relations between African countries and China, and built a closer China-Africa community with a shared future. Non-governmental exchanges would also yield fruitful results for the event, further promoting the growing trade links between Africa and Guangdong for communal development.

FANG Lixu giving a speech

Mr. Fang said, in 2013, that China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangdong Committee carried out the “Embracing Africa Seminar” to help African businesses. This year, in order to strengthen economic and trade cooperation, the Committee has taken various measures to help African business fight against COVID-19 and resume work and production. In the future, the Committee will continue to give full play to its extensive network to help Guangdong and African enterprises thrive mutually.

SUI Guangjun giving a speech

Mr. Sui said, in the process of building global governance system, GDUFS provides a powerful intellectual support for many projects. GDUFS also attaches great importance to the Guangdong-Africa exchanges and cooperation in various fields. In the past three years, GDUFS has trained more than 1,000 African students. In 2016, GDUFS established an Institute for African Studies and set up three research bases in Africa. And we will continue to build more bridges for Chinese and African enterprises in the future.

Inauguration ceremony of Chinese ambassador lecture hall

The event featured a main venue and four branch venues to show the fruits of China-Africa cooperation in a comprehensive manner. The event was jointly organized. Wang Rong opened the Chinese Ambassador Lecture Hall. Retired ambassadors from the diplomatic front were invited to give lectures. The event provided intellectual support for enterprises in Guangdong. It was also a display of major national diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.