China, Africa urged to deepen practical cooperation for shared development

As the world faces growing development challenges, China and Africa need solidarity and cooperation more than ever before, officials from both sides said on Friday. They called for deeper, results-oriented collaboration in trade and investment, stronger people-to-people exchanges, and broader exploration of new partnership opportunities.

The remarks were made at the Forum on China-Africa Economic, Trade and Cultural Cooperation, held in Jinhua, East China’s Zhejiang province. The event brought together more than 400 representatives from 38 countries and has so far facilitated over 100 cooperation projects with African partners.

Since its launch in 2018, the forum has become an important platform for subnational economic and trade engagement with Africa, as well as a key channel for implementing the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Ding Zhongli, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress, said that as China—the world’s largest developing country—and Africa—the continent with the highest concentration of developing nations—deepen cooperation, they will inject stronger momentum into global development.

He emphasized the importance of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation to ensure sustainable vitality in China-Africa relations. Both sides, he said, should promote resource sharing, leverage complementary strengths, pursue pragmatic and efficient cooperation, and jointly advance the modernization process of the Global South.

Ding also called for stronger collaboration in industrial and agricultural development, deeper industrial and supply chain integration, improved trade facilitation, and enhanced regional economic connectivity between China and Africa.

Daniel Mukoko Samba, deputy prime minister and minister of national economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said the forum comes at a crucial time as Africa seeks to accelerate economic transformation.

He said Africa and China can expand mutually beneficial cooperation across a wide range of sectors to maximize strategic value. Renewable energy, energy infrastructure, and green value chains, he added, are key areas where joint investment could create millions of jobs.

Mukoko Samba also praised Zhejiang’s entrepreneurial vitality and open business environment, noting that the province’s rich experience in e-commerce and digital development offers valuable lessons for Congolese enterprises.

According to Wang Cheng, deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhejiang Provincial Committee, Zhejiang’s trade with Africa has exceeded $30 billion for three consecutive years. More than 20 universities in the province have established partnerships with African institutions, and about 12,000 African students are currently studying and living in Zhejiang.

He added that eight Confucius Institutes and 14 Silk Road Schools have been set up across Africa, training more than 170,000 professionals in various fields.

Chakil Aboobacar, secretary-general of the Mozambique Liberation Front Party, said that as the world faces rising uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, Africa and China must act in a coordinated and united way.

He noted that Mozambique attaches great importance to the 10 partnership action plans proposed by China at the 2024 Beijing Summit of the FOCAC, adding that deeper cooperation in industry, agriculture, food security, energy, mining and infrastructure will open new opportunities for inclusive growth.

Julius Ihonvbere, majority leader of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, said the forum demonstrates China’s long-standing commitment to shared prosperity through global trade cooperation and highlights Africa’s growing role in the evolving international economic landscape.

At a time of global economic turbulence—from inflationary pressures to shifting geopolitical dynamics—China’s position as Africa’s largest trading partner offers both stability and new opportunities, he said.

Yang Wanming, president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said that the foundation of China-Africa relations lies in people-to-people bonds.

As 2026 has been designated the Year of China-Africa People-to-People Exchanges, Yang said the association will continue to serve as a bridge for public diplomacy by fostering civil exchanges, practical cooperation, cultural interaction and youth engagement.