Beijing, August 13 (Xinhua) — Cross sea trade between China and Africa is becoming closer
Avocados, coffee, rubber produced in Africa, mobile phones, electric vehicles, cranes made in China… In recent years, more and more good goods from China and Africa have drifted across the sea and “flown into ordinary people’s homes”.
The latest data released by the General Administration of Customs shows that in the first seven months of this year, China’s imports and exports to Africa amounted to 1.19 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.5%.
“At present, China Africa economic and trade cooperation is deepening, fruitful, and full of vitality.” The Egyptian National Echo Network commented: “You can see all kinds of fresh African fruits on the Chinese table. When African consumers decide to buy electric cars, Chinese enterprises provide them with a variety of affordable choices.”
Economic and trade cooperation is the “ballast stone” and “propeller” of China Africa relations.
In 2023, the trade volume between China and Africa reached a historical peak of 282.1 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 1.5%, demonstrating the strong resilience of China Africa trade. Among them, China’s non imported nuts, vegetables, flowers, and fruits increased by 130%, 32%, 14%, and 7% respectively year-on-year; New energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products saw significant year-on-year growth of 291%, 109%, and 57% in exports to Africa.
Sang Baichuan, Dean of the Institute of International Economics at the University of International Business and Economics, stated that the leapfrog development of China Africa trade cooperation is based on common interests and the pursuit of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. This is not only a powerful proof of China’s high-quality economic development achieving positive results, but also plays a huge role in driving social development in Africa and improving the living standards of local people
China has maintained its position as Africa’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. In 2023, the General Administration of Customs released the “China Africa Trade Index” for the first time, which is based on a base value of 100 points in 2000 and will reach 990.55 points in 2022, demonstrating the rapid and positive development trend of China Africa trade.
How can China Africa trade maintain a good momentum in the long run?
The economic complementarity between China and Africa is very strong, “said Sang Baichuan. China has mature and applicable technology and equipment, as well as relatively sufficient funds; African countries have obvious advantages in human and natural resources. Strengthening trade exchanges between both sides will help to leverage their respective advantages and vast markets, achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, and promote common development.
In recent years, with the pursuit of “quality” and “novelty” in China Africa economic and trade cooperation, the competitive advantage has been continuously enhanced.
Strolling on the streets of Africa, TECNO lightbox billboards are frequently seen. From the unique deep skin image algorithm to the recognition and application of African minority languages, as one of the earliest Chinese mobile phone manufacturers to enter Africa, Shenzhen Transsion Holdings Co., Ltd. has won a competitive advantage by creating personalized and differentiated products.
Transforming single transactions into ecological creation, Transsion seizes the opportunities of digital, networked, and intelligent development in Africa, which is a microcosm of exploring new growth drivers and development paths for China Africa trade.
Expanding cooperation in traditional industries such as labor-intensive and primary processing, hosting live streaming e-commerce events such as the African Good Goods Online Shopping Festival, implementing the “Hundred Stores, Thousand Products Platform” initiative in Africa, and carrying out clean energy cooperation to build low-carbon demonstration zones… While the scale of trade in traditional industries such as labor-intensive and primary processing continues to expand, China and Africa will continue to extend their cooperation to emerging fields such as digital economy, green low-carbon, aerospace, and financial services, injecting new vitality into China Africa economic and trade cooperation.
Former Vice Chairman of the African Union Commission, Erastas Mwancha, stated that China’s promotion of connectivity through digital infrastructure construction has changed the face of Africa and improved the lives of ordinary African people.
We will steadfastly promote high-level opening up, and the Chinese market is becoming a new opportunity for the world.
Implementing zero tariffs on 98% of taxable products in some least developed countries in Africa; Establishing a ‘green channel’ for the export of African agricultural products to China to reduce trade costs; Attracting more African companies to join the cross-border e-commerce platform established by China, allowing African products to ride the free ride of international logistics… China actively shares the opportunities of opening up with Africa, helps Africa expand sales channels for high-quality characteristic products, and enters the international market faster and smoother.
China is the largest developing country in the world, and Africa is the continent with the highest concentration of developing countries. The combined population of China and Africa accounts for about one-third of the world’s total population. Two hotbeds of development, separated by thousands of miles but closely related, with vast opportunities for cooperation.
Building a pilot zone for deep economic and trade cooperation between China and Africa, issuing the Action Plan for the Development of China Africa Digital Cooperation, and expanding China Africa intermediate goods trade… With the upgrading and deepening of China Africa economic and trade cooperation, new potential is constantly being released.
Lv Daliang, Director of the Statistics and Analysis Department of the General Administration of Customs, stated that the economic development between China and Africa is active. China needs more “African products”, and Africa also needs more “Made in China”. The prospects for bilateral trade development are broad. The 2024 Forum on China Africa Cooperation Summit is about to be held in Beijing, and the economic and trade cooperation between the two sides is expected to further deepen.