Co-organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the People's Government of Guangdong Province, the 5th Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation was held in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province on July 9.
With the theme "Working Together for High-level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future", the forum includes plenary meetings and three sub-forums, featuring discussion about industrial cooperation, green innovation and talent cultivation.
At the opening ceremony of the forum, Lukia Nakadama, Third Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda, spoke highly of the relations between China and Uganda. "Diplomatic relations between Uganda and China have stood the test of time since 1962, shortly after Uganda's independence," said Nakadama. "China extended economic solidarity to Africa at large," Lukia elaborated on the industrial cooperation between the two sides, such as projects like Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park. "These contributions include Chinese industrial parks that have created jobs for our people," she said.
The event witnessed the signing of the Letter of Intent on Developing Sister City Relationship between Cape Coast City of the Republic of Ghana and Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province, China. Hon. Ernest Arthur, the Mayor of Cape Coast, Ghana, told GDToday reporter that the letter was signed in hopes of cooperating in various areas such as education, tourism, and waste management. He also welcomed Chinese tourists to Cape Coast and Ghana. "We will make sure you enjoy the best of times in Cape Coast and then take back to China a new experience that you can share with others within your community," he said.
At the Industrial Cooperation sub-forum, GDToday spoke to Leonard Mbao, Provincial Minister for Northern Province, the Republic of Zambia, who analyzed the bilateral relation between his home country and China. "In 2023, our President His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema and President Xi agreed to take our cooperative relation even to a higher level when they met," he said. He highlighted such a relation should be mutually beneficial. Taking this as an exciting opportunity, he underlined that Zambia is home to rich copper mining and lithium resources, which are integral to China's green development path. He hopes Chinese investors come in as partners and Zambia is more than ready to offer cost-effective solutions for Chinese new energy manufacturers.
Later at the Talent Cultivation sub-forum, Rose-Marie Stella Hoareau, Minister for Local Government and Community Affairs, Republic of Seychelles, also shared with us that people between China and Africa also connect on a cultural level. "The Chinese culture has always been very popular in Seychelles, especially your traditional dances and your music," she detailed. "So this is what I spoke about the Seychelles China, whereby we share cultural events and it's a whole day of activities, promoting the culture between my country and China."
Reporter | Jersey Guo, Cheryl Chen
Video | Wingheng Deng
Editor | Steven, Monica, James
