The Road Of Economic And Trade Cooperation Between China And Africa Is Wider And Wider

The General Administration of Customs of China recently released data showing that in 2021, the total bilateral trade between China and the African region exceeded the $250 billion mark, setting a new high since 2014. Experts pointed out that in the face of the impact of the COVID-19, China Africa economic and trade cooperation shows resilience and has a promising future.

Outstanding results

In 2021, the total bilateral trade between China and Africa reached 254.3 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 35.3%, with African exports to China reaching 105.9 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 43.7%. China has remained the largest trading partner in Africa for 12 consecutive years. The report of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development shows that the African region's economy has improved in 2021, mainly due to the improvement of the external environment, especially the active support of markets such as China to enhance Africa's export capacity.

China's investment in Africa is also eye-catching. According to data, from January to September 2021, China's direct investment in non industry sectors reached 2.59 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 9.9%, surpassing the level of the same period in 2019 before the pandemic.

"China and Africa have close economic and trade ties and achieved remarkable results in cooperation." Yao Guimei, director of the South African Research Center of the Institute of West Asian and African Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out in an interview with this newspaper that Africa is the most concentrated continent of developing countries and one of the most important regions to participate in the "the Belt and Road" initiative. China's investment in infrastructure in Africa has promoted local connectivity and urbanization, and African countries also play an irreplaceable role in China's construction of a new "dual circulation" development pattern.

Cooperation and win-win situation

At the end of 2021, Rwandan Ambassador to China, James Kimonio, visited the online live streaming room to bring goods to Rwanda's agricultural and sideline products. Within 5 seconds, 3000 pounds of coffee beans were sold out by Chinese netizens.

In recent years, more and more high-quality African agricultural products have entered the Chinese market, highlighting the characteristics of complementary advantages and mutual benefit in China Africa economic and trade relations.

In addition to traditional trade areas, new highlights of China Africa cooperation are constantly emerging. After the outbreak of the epidemic, China actively fulfilled its commitment to make COVID-19 vaccine a global public product, provided vaccines to African countries, and worked hard to promote the joint production of vaccines. In emerging fields such as the digital economy, aerospace, clean energy, and new infrastructure, China Africa cooperation has also shown strong vitality.

For a long time, China Africa cooperation has always been based on sincerity and sincerity. China emphasizes that the focus of cooperation between China and Africa has never been what China wants to do, but what Africa wants to do, which is highly recognized by African countries. Kenyan President Kenyatta said that China is not only a sincere friend of Kenya, but also a closely cooperating development partner.

Yao Guimei pointed out that developing unity and cooperation with African countries is an important cornerstone of China's foreign policy and a long-term and firm strategic choice. China has always respected the development needs of African countries and carried out all-round practical cooperation in keeping with the times.

Bright Future

Currently, African countries are generally facing the arduous task of epidemic prevention and control and economic recovery. Under the guidance of a series of programmatic documents and plans such as the "Vision for China Africa Cooperation 2035" and the "Dakar Action Plan (2022-2024)" adopted at the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, the prospects for China Africa economic and trade cooperation in the post pandemic era are promising.

The Pito News of South Africa pointed out that at present, the AU Commission and 52 African countries have signed cooperation documents with China to jointly build the "the Belt and Road". China Africa cooperation will enter a new stage of quality improvement and upgrading, ushering in more development opportunities.

There are many opportunities and promising prospects for economic and trade cooperation between China and Africa. Yao Guimei believes that cooperation in infrastructure construction between China and Africa has traditional advantages. In addition, Chinese enterprises can explore new cooperation directions based on the African Agenda 2063. In the post pandemic era, there is great potential for cooperation between China and Africa in the fields of digital economy, green and low-carbon, health, and vocational education.