High-level opening up and policies to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) were hot topics during the annual sessions of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, China’s key annual political meetings commonly known as Two Sessions.  China has been one of the most popular FDI destinations over the years and has benefitted from it. However, last year, according to data from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, China’s actual use of FDI…

In an inspirational speech in 1996, then South African Deputy President Thabo Mbeki said, “Whatever the setbacks of the moment, nothing can stop us now! Whatever the difficulties, Africa shall be at peace! However improbable it may sound to the sceptics, Africa will prosper!”   The 37th African Union (AU) Summit was convened in Addis Ababa on 17 February, where leaders from across Africa converged to deliberate on pressing issues and chart a course for the future of the continent. The…

Situated in northwest China, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is the largest provincial region in terms of land area and is endowed with rich resources. It is also known as a champion of China’s reform and opening-up, the core of Silk Road Economic Belt, and a springboard for China’s greater openness.  As a microcosm of the Chinese society that is pursuing greater and faster development, Xinjiang has achieved high-quality growth in its own way.  Before the founding of the People’s Republic…

The expedition of Chinese explorer Zhang Qian more than 2,000 years ago is considered to be the foundation of the ancient Silk Road. Today, his legendary exploration of the ancient Silk Road is renowned worldwide. Venturing across the Eurasian continent with camel caravans laden with silk, spices, tea, and other Chinese goods, he forged vital trade routes of the Silk Road. Xinjiang has had a central role in that trade.   Fast forward thousands of years, and Xinjiang finds itself at…

The annual sessions of China’s National People’s Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, commonly known as Two Sessions, held in March in Beijing, not only provided details about China’s development in the past year, but also outlined the development trajectory for the future.    Under normal circumstances, one country’s economic recovery shouldn’t be of great significance to countries in another continent. But that is not the case with China. The ongoing recovery of the world’s…

As the train engine roars, doors of the wagons gently open at 07:30 a.m., with crew members waiting for the passengers to board before starting the journey for their next destination.  An hour before the departure, Marriam Gadesa heads to the locomotive cabin and quickly tests the locomotive’s power supply, and then starts the engine.   “After the engine is started, I do the electrical and air brake tests. Once all the passengers are onboard, the driver is given a signal…

As African countries look to enhance their manufacturing industries and speed up industrialisation, they are learning valuable insights from the development experience of industrial parks worldwide, particularly from China.  Since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013, China has substantially increased its investment in infrastructure development in Africa, undertaking the construction of a large number of projects including roads, railways, hydropower plants, airports, ports, and industrial parks. Specifically, industrial parks have emerged as key engines driving Africa’s…

As Africa pushes forward its industrialisation process, the Chinese-built industrial parks and free trade zones have assumed special significance as drivers of the region’s industrial development and job creation. At the same time, Africa is also learning from China’s successful experience in industrialisation.  What are the ways in which China and African countries can deepen industrial cooperation? What are the roadblocks to such cooperation and the process of industrialisation in Africa?   Officials, scholars and business representatives from China and Africa…

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Sudan. The two countries have enjoyed friendly cooperation throughout these years, and have broadened engagements in various fields in recent years. In an interview with ChinAfrica, Sudan’s Ambassador to China Omer Mohamed Ahmed Siddig talks about the need to lift the relationship to a new high. Edited excerpts of the interview follow:   ChinAfrica: How has the China-Sudan relationship progressed since the establishment of the diplomatic relations 65…

Situated in the tranquil landscape of Xiamen’s Tong’an District, Lianhua Village exemplifies China’s commitment to balanced development. The village’s transformative journey reveals the profound impact of the revival of rural communities, the boom of sugar apple industry, and the village’s rise as a vibrant tourist destination.  The village’s transformation mirrors the overarching strategy of China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI), a visionary effort to bridge urban-rural disparities and foster inclusive growth. The village has strategically aligned its developmental trajectory with the…