China Business News (reporter Peng Tingting) This year marks a milestone in China-Africa relations.

      In September, in Beijing, the China-Africa Cooperation Forum Beijing Summit brought together the heads of state, government leaders, and officials from over fifty African countries to review the development process of China-Africa relations and announced a new positioning for the relationship: a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era. The summit elevated China-Africa cooperation to a new level, consolidating the mutually beneficial and win-win partnership between the two sides. The prospects for high-quality cooperation between China and African countries are bright and will inject strong momentum into the modernization development of the world.

    As an important province for China's cooperation with Africa, Zhejiang Province actively deepens economic and trade as well as cultural cooperation with Africa, continuously promoting Zhejiang enterprises to "go global" and work hand in hand with African partners. From November 16th to 17th, the China-Africa Economic and Trade West Lake Forum and Zhejiang-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Resource Docking Conference (hereinafter referred to as the Forum) was successfully held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. The Forum attracted over 300 participants, including experts and scholars in the field of China-Africa economic and trade research, representatives of business associations, entrepreneurs, African business people, and representatives of overseas Chinese in Africa. They discussed new opportunities and paths for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, further promoting economic and trade exchanges and cooperation between Zhejiang and Africa.

     The forum officially opened on the morning of November 16th, with Zhao Haoxing, the director of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Research Institute at Zhejiang Gongshang University, serving as the moderator. During the opening ceremony, Chen Shoucan, the chairman of the Development Committee of Zhejiang Gongshang University, Zhang Hongbin, the party secretary and president of the Hangzhou Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Wang Xiaoyong, the resident vice president and executive president of the China-Africa Chamber of Commerce, Zhang Pengguo, the president of宇视科技, Xu Hongdao, the former vice chairman of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Dewano Kedir, the deputy ambassador and deputy head of the Ethiopian Embassy in China, delivered speeches, expressing their emphasis and expectations for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation.

     Chen Shu-can stated that the successful hosting of this forum is a vivid practice of the policy concept of sincerity, real results, affinity, and good faith towards Africa, and also a proactive action by Zhejiang to expand its circle of friends in Africa based on local characteristics and to promote new progress and effectiveness in Zhejiang-Africa cooperation. Chen Shu-can also believes that the "Four Thousand Spirit" is a spiritual portrayal of the practice of the socialist market economy with Chinese characteristics in Zhejiang, rich in theoretical implications and contemporary value. He looks forward to the "Four Thousand Spirit" leading Chinese brands to go global in Africa and more eagerly anticipates that entrepreneurs will adhere to the spirit of Zhejiang studies, with a stance of combining righteousness with profit, unity of knowledge and action, and openness and enlightenment, to practice the original intention of "mutual pursuit and win-win integration".

     Zhang Hongbin stated at the main forum that they bear important responsibilities such as promoting foreign trade, two-way investment, and economic and technological cooperation. The China-Africa cooperation has entered a new era. The China-Africa Economic and Trade West Lake Forum has been held for three consecutive years. Through high-level think tank sharing, wisdom collision, and resource docking, it has built an important platform for economic and trade promotion for Hangzhou and Zhejiang merchants to collectively head to Africa. It has played a positive role in aiding African development. He hopes that the participating entrepreneurs can further deepen friendships and seek cooperation on this platform. In the current pursuit of modernization dreams together by China and Africa, they should join hands and move forward to contribute to building a new era all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future.

    Wang Xiaoyong emphasized that the role of enterprises in promoting China-Africa cooperation and development cannot be overlooked. He hopes that with the help of this forum, the level of Zhejiang-Africa cooperation can be further enhanced, reaching a higher quality, broader fields, and deeper levels, achieving fruitful results in economic and trade exchanges again.

    As a representative of Zhejiang-born enterprises operating in Africa, Zhang Pengguo introduced the rich achievements that Unispectral Technology has made in cultivating overseas markets and empowering various industries over the years. It is reported that in the African region, Unispectral Technology not only established local teams but also provides comprehensive pre-sale, sale, and after-sale services and support. Projects have been implemented in many countries, including South Africa, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Zhang Pengguo stated, "We will continue to provide the world's leading intelligent IoT products and solutions to our African friends, helping to build a modern China-Africa partnership, contributing greater strength to global economic development and regional economic collaboration."

    Dewano Kedir stated, "Resources are there, raw materials are there, we work together to facilitate manufacturing, agriculture, textiles, food processing, and actively strive for cultural and economic exchange cooperation between China and Africa!"

    During the keynote speech session, guests including Liu Hongwu, the Yangtze River Scholar and Dean of the African Studies Institute at Zhejiang Normal University; He Liehui, Chairman of the Dalu Road Group and a distinguished researcher at the Zhejiang Business Research Institute; Ao Yibin, Vice Chairman of the China-Africa Civil Trade Chamber and President of Zhejiang Holley Overseas Industrial Development Co., Ltd.; Ruan Xiuli, General Manager of Zhejiang Wuchan Yuantong Group; Ji Ta, CEO of Yiwu Pulahe Trade Co., Ltd. and Secretary-General of the Yiwu China-Africa Chamber of Commerce; and Zhang Junjun, Deputy General Manager of Hangcha Group International, delivered insightful speeches on new directions for Zhejiang's economic and trade cooperation with Africa, the philosophy and models of Chinese entrepreneurs entering Africa, the transformation and upgrading of Chinese enterprises' approach to Africa, the supply chain integration and marketing innovation of Chinese brands entering Africa, and the key mindset for entering the African market, providing valuable insights and ideas for the attendees.