Category: In Depth Report

Kuala Lumpur, July 16 (Xinhua) – Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Zafri, stated on the 15th that the economic and trade ties between Malaysia and China have brought tangible benefits to the people of both countries. Malaysia’s electronic products, mineral products, palm oil, rubber and other products are welcomed by China; China’s investment in Malaysia has stimulated infrastructure improvement and manufacturing growth, created employment opportunities, and promoted technology transfer.

Zafer attended the first story sharing meeting and promotion ceremony of China Malaysia “the Belt and Road” cooperation hosted by the Malaysian think-tank Southeast Asia Social Science Research Center in Kuala Lumpur on the same day. In his speech, he said that Malaysia was one of the first countries to respond to the “the Belt and Road” initiative, which further consolidated the Malaysia China economic partnership and promoted connectivity and economic development.

He said that with the rapid advancement of technology and the increasing global challenges, the partnership between Malaysia and China is more important than ever. He hopes that the two countries can jointly explore cutting-edge technologies in the fields of digital economy, green technology, and artificial intelligence, not only promoting economic growth but also contributing to global well-being.

Ouyang Yujing, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, delivered a speech saying that over the years, China and Malaysia have achieved fruitful results in high-quality cooperation on the “the Belt and Road”. China and Malaysia will take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties this year as an opportunity to deepen the docking of development, do a good job in combining the joint construction of the “the Belt and Road” initiative with the Malaysian “Changming Economy” framework, and strengthen economic, trade, investment and infrastructure connectivity cooperation; Enhance cultural and people to people exchanges, actively engage in cultural, educational, tourism and other cooperation; Strengthen multilateral cooperation and enhance dialogue and coordination on international and regional issues of common concern.

At the sharing session, three local Malaysians shared their own stories of friendship with China in areas such as economy and education. The sharing session will also be held in other states of Malaysia to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia.

Lima, July 15 (Xinhua) — The “most modern tunnel” leading to the ancient Inca civilization

Driving northwest along the mountain road from the ancient city of Cusco in Peru for about 4 and a half hours, you can reach the starting point of the Santa Maria Santa Teresa section, which is a necessary route to enter Machu Picchu via road. Along the way, the road is smooth, with snow capped mountains, river valleys, and alpaca herds forming a magnificent scenery, which makes the reporter curious why few tourists choose to drive to this world-renowned ancient Inca civilization site.

This is a drone photo taken on June 23rd in the Cusco Region of Peru, depicting the Machu Picchu Highway Tunnel project and the surrounding cliffs constructed by China Railway Tunnel Bureau. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Muzi

As the vehicle continued to drive south, the paved road gradually came to an end, and the scene in front of us dispelled the reporter’s previous doubts – on one side of the mountain road was a steep cliff with a vertical height difference of about 150 meters, and there were no guardrails set up at the bend; On the other side is a bare mountain, which often experiences rockfalls and landslides during the rainy season, making it very dangerous. Under such complex mountain road conditions, driving to Machu Picchu naturally discourages many tourists.

This is the interior of the Machu Picchu highway tunnel constructed by China Railway Tunnel Bureau, captured on June 23 in the Cusco Region of Peru. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Muzi

However, the first road tunnel from Peru to Machu Picchu, constructed by a Chinese company, will help promote a change in this situation. After the tunnel is opened, it will not only provide new route options for tourists to travel to Machu Picchu and promote the development of local tourism, but also facilitate the faster transportation of agricultural products and promote local economic development.

This is the entrance of the Machu Picchu highway tunnel constructed by China Railway Tunnel Bureau, captured on June 23 in the Cusco Region of Peru. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Muzi

The Machu Picchu Highway Tunnel is located in the mountainous area of Cusco Province in southern Peru, leading to the Machu Picchu ruins. It was constructed by China Railway Tunnel Group Co., Ltd. and has a total length of 1987.5 meters. It is currently the largest and longest two-way single lane highway tunnel in Peru. When the reporter visited the the Belt and Road project jointly built by China and Peru recently, he saw that the tunnel has been completed and the electromechanical installation work is in full swing.

On June 23rd, in the Cusco Region of Peru, tunnel project manager Pei Zhimin (right) introduced to reporters the Machu Picchu highway tunnel project undertaken by China Railway Tunnel Bureau. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Muzi

The tunnel project manager Pei Zhimin told reporters that this tunnel is the only tunnel in Peru’s national highway system that is fully equipped with ventilation, lighting, monitoring, and other mechanical and electrical installations. The electromechanical installation will be completed in October this year and the control system will be debugged before the end of the year. After the tunnel is opened, it will greatly shorten the travel time and avoid high-risk sections, benefiting about 19000 local residents directly.

This is Daniel Medina, the human resources manager of the Machu Picchu highway tunnel project constructed by China Railway Tunnel Bureau, captured on June 23 in the Cusco region of Peru. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Muzi

Daniel Medina, the human resources manager of the tunnel project, said that the improvement of traffic conditions will promote the development of tourism, drive an increase in passenger flow in Machu Picchu, and generate more demand for accommodation, catering, and other aspects, injecting vitality into the local economy. This tunnel will provide more people with the opportunity to visit Machu Picchu and learn about Peruvian culture. As a member of the project and a Peruvian, I am truly happy

On June 23rd, Chinese employees of China Railway Tunnel Bureau inspected the Machu Picchu highway tunnel in the Cusco region of Peru. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Muzi

The town of Santa Teresa, located at the southern end of the tunnel, is a coffee and various fruit producing area, and most of the local residents are engaged in agricultural cultivation. However, due to poor road conditions, the transportation cost of agricultural products in the area has always been high, and some farmers’ mangoes cannot be transported out in time and can only rot in the ground. Coffee and citrus farmer Samuel Barrios told reporters that everyone is looking forward to the tunnel opening soon, “so that products can be transported to other places more quickly and at a lower cost.

The tunnel project not only drives economic development in its area, but also creates a large number of job opportunities for the local community. In addition to being a farmer, Barrios also serves as a mixer truck driver for the tunnel project, and his children and many friends also work on the project.

On June 23rd, in the Cusco Region of Peru, local coffee and citrus growers Samuel Barrios were interviewed by Xinhua News Agency. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Muzi

Medina told reporters that except for some professional and technical personnel recruited from other places, about 70% of the workers on the project come from nearby towns, becoming an important reserve talent for tunnel construction operations. There are not many people in Peru with experience in tunnel construction. During the construction process, local workers gradually mastered tunnel construction and mechanical control techniques. If there are any tunnel projects starting in the future, they can be directly put into work as skilled workers

This is Ilam Mera, a Peruvian tunnel engineer, captured on June 23rd in the Cusco Region of Peru. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Muzi

Peruvian tunnel engineer Iram Mera said that for him, participating in the construction of Peru’s “most modern tunnel” was a valuable experience, and the advanced technology and professional spirit demonstrated by the Chinese team during the construction of the Machu Picchu highway tunnel left a deep impression on him.

Pei Zhimin said that during the construction process, China Railway Tunnel Bureau focused on providing skill training for local workers and actively engaged in technical exchanges with project owners. We hope to promote local technological innovation through China’s professional experience in tunnel construction

This is the entrance of the Machu Picchu highway tunnel constructed by China Railway Tunnel Bureau, taken on June 23 in the Cusco region of Peru (drone photo). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Muzi

Mexico City, July 15 (Xinhua) — After ten years of traveling together, China and Latin America inject “southern power” into world development

China and Latin America are working hand in hand to always be a driving force in the construction of global governance. In the face of a turbulent and intertwined world, Latin American and Caribbean countries pursue independent development, advocate for maintaining peace, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation, oppose factional confrontation, decoupling, and hegemonic bullying, and contribute to promoting an equal and orderly world multipolarity and inclusive economic globalization. China and Latin America adhere to true multilateralism, strengthen dialogue on international and regional affairs of common concern, maintain good communication and cooperation on major global issues, and voice the voice of China and Latin America in promoting the construction of a new type of international relations characterized by mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation, as well as a more just and reasonable global governance system. On international hot topics, Latin American countries, together with China, firmly advocate for maintaining world peace and stability. In May of this year, China and Brazil jointly issued the “Consensus on Political Resolution of the Ukrainian Crisis”, emphasizing that dialogue and negotiation are the only way to resolve the crisis, and calling on all parties to work together to promote the easing and cooling of the situation, representing the international community’s universal concern and sincere willingness to promote political resolution of the Ukrainian crisis.

On January 3, 2024, a light rail train entered a light rail station in Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. The light rail train developed by CRRC for Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, was put into commercial operation on the 3rd. This is the first time that a Chinese made light rail train has served the public transportation system in Mexico City. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Mengxin

China and Latin America walk hand in hand, always serving as a driving force for cooperative development. Over the past 10 years, China and Latin America have taken the high-quality joint construction of the “the Belt and Road” as the practice platform, adhered to joint discussion, joint construction and sharing, and worked together for common development. At present, China has signed a memorandum of understanding with 22 Latin American and Caribbean countries to jointly build the “the Belt and Road”. According to incomplete statistics, as of September 2023, China has implemented more than 200 infrastructure projects in Latin America, undertaking thousands of kilometers of roads, railways, and light rail, more than 100 schools, hospitals, and sports venues, nearly 100 bridges and tunnels, dozens of airports and ports, and providing nearly one million job opportunities for the local area. The Phoenix Industrial Park, jointly built by China and Trinidad and Tobago, officially opened in January this year and is currently the most modern industrial park in Trinidad and Tobago and even the Caribbean region. The Qiankai Port project, undertaken by Chinese enterprises in Peru, is also under active construction and will become a new hub port and Pacific gateway port in Latin America after completion. China is still the second largest trading partner in Latin America and has signed free trade agreements with five Latin American countries. From infrastructure construction, to import and export trade, to emerging fields such as digital economy, clean energy, and space exploration, China and Latin America are accelerating the upgrading of cooperation towards higher added value and more advanced technological content.

On May 11, 2024, passengers taking the direct flight from Shenzhen to Mexico City checked in at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Mao Siqian

China and Latin America walk hand in hand, always being a positive force for mutual learning of civilizations. Both China and Latin America have profound ancient civilizations, which progress together through mutual learning and learning, becoming an important driving force for promoting human civilization progress and world peace and development. The opening of the longest direct international passenger route between Shenzhen and Mexico City, as well as the opening of Beijing Madrid Sao Paulo, Beijing Madrid Havana, and Beijing Tijuana Mexico City routes, has built a new bridge for cross hemisphere exchanges between China and Latin America, making it easier to deepen mutual understanding through personal experiences such as tourism, study abroad, and work. At the Copan site in Honduras, China Hong joint archaeologists have been collaborating since 2015 to explore the “time and space tunnel” leading to the Mayan civilization. As of April this year, there are 47 Confucius Institutes and 6 Confucius Classrooms in Latin America. Brand activities such as the “China Latin America Cultural Exchange Year,” “China Latin America Civilization Dialogue Forum,” “Latin American Cultural Festival,” and “Latin American Film Exhibition” are rich and colorful, and cultural content such as film and television, food, music, and dance from both sides are increasingly approaching each other’s people, constantly deepening mutual understanding.

Only by benefiting the world can we benefit our own country. At present, China is making concerted efforts to promote Chinese path to modernization. At the same time, Latin American and Caribbean countries are also working hard to achieve unity and self-improvement. Both sides will strengthen cooperation on the existing solid foundation, jointly promote the construction of a community with a shared future between China and Latin America, and continuously contribute new strength to the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. (Participating journalists: Yan Liang, Wu Hao)

Bangkok, July 13 (Xinhua) — The cross-border railway passenger train connecting Thailand and Laos began trial operation on the 12th. The opening of this line will improve the railway transportation between Thailand and Laos, and will also connect the China Laos railway, promoting trade, logistics and personnel exchanges between Thailand, Laos and China.

According to the information from the State Railway of Thailand, the cross-border railway passenger train between Thailand and Laos departs from Abhidharma Central Station in Bangkok, Thailand, exits through the Langkai Port in Thailand, and arrives at Kansawah Station in Vientiane, Laos, with a travel time of about 10 hours.

Ekala, Director of the Office of the Director General of the State Railway of Thailand, introduced that the opening of cross-border railway passenger trains between Thailand and Laos will improve railway transportation between the two countries, promote border trade between Thailand and Laos, and promote cooperation between Thailand and neighboring countries in economy, trade, and tourism.

It is reported that the cross-border railway passenger train between Thailand and Laos will officially start operating on July 19th.

Astana, July 7th (Xinhua) – The Secretary General of the International Association of Trans Caspian Sea Transport Corridors, Gaidar Abudikrimov, recently stated in an interview with Xinhua News Agency that the 24th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, deepened mutual trust among member states and will further promote economic development among them.

Wherever there is trust, there is stability, and wherever there is development. Economic development is a key factor and important driving force for the development of the Trans Caspian International Transport Corridor, “he said.

This is the Independence Palace captured on June 29, 2024 in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. Photo by Wang Jianhua, Xinhua News Agency reporter

Abdikrimov introduced that the Trans Caspian International Transport Corridor is a multimodal transportation route. It starts from China, spans Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea coast, Azerbaijan, Georgia and extends to Türkiye and European countries, with a total length of 11000 kilometers. The International Association of Trans Caspian International Transport Corridors began operations in February 2017, with the aim of coordinating relevant parties on the Asia Europe two-way freight transportation route and providing necessary information security.

Abtikrimov said that the “the Belt and Road” initiative proposed by China in 2013 is inspiring, especially in the transportation and logistics industry. We see a new opportunity to revive the ancient Silk Road

On May 12, 2023, near Almaty, Kazakhstan, freight trains run between Almaty and Khorgos, China (UAV photo). Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Ospanov)

He said that over the past 10 years, the joint construction of the “the Belt and Road” has had a huge positive impact on the development of the trans Caspian international transport corridor. Nowadays, this route has become an important artery for transporting goods from Southeast Asia and China to Europe. At the third “the Belt and Road” International Cooperation Summit Forum held last year, China proposed eight actions to support high-quality joint construction of the “the Belt and Road”, including participating in the construction of the trans Caspian international transport corridor. China’s support is reflected in practical actions, bringing good news for the construction of the Trans Caspian International Transport Corridor.

Abudikrimov stated that currently, the annual cargo throughput of the Trans Caspian International Transport Corridor is about 6 million tons. Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye signed a development road map last year, which plans to more than double the annual throughput of the road by 2027. The Astana Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has added momentum to the development of this route, and the Trans Caspian International Transport Corridor will continue to play a role as a fast, safe, and sustainable transportation channel.

At Kribi Deepwater Port in Cameroon, a gantry crane over ten meters high is lifting cargo for a 10000 ton cargo ship; In Mbale, Uganda, workers are building local brands in the Central Umale Industrial Park; In Zambia’s Qianbixi Copper Mine, “digital mining” drives technological innovation in the local mining industry

In recent years, China and Africa have complementary advantages and fruitful achievements in industrial cooperation. The cooperation between the two sides aims to move from “quality” to “new” and continuously takes new steps on the road to building a high-level community with a shared future for China and Africa.

On April 22, 2024, in Kribi, Cameroon, technical personnel worked at the construction site of the Kribi Deepwater Port Phase II project. Xinhua News Agency (Science Popularization Photo)

Empowering industrialization in Africa

Large machinery roars, transport vehicles shuttle back and forth, and nearly a thousand workers are busy working… Located in the southern region of Kribi, Cameroon, the second phase of the deepwater port project, undertaken by China Harbour Engineering Co., Ltd. (China Harbour), is entering its peak construction period.

On the berth of the first phase of Kribi Deep Water Port, which has been put into operation, a 30000 ton cargo ship from Singapore is docked, and a gantry crane over ten meters high is lifting cargo. “The port of Douala, the largest city in Cameroon, is shallow and can only accommodate ships weighing less than 10000 tons. However, it is not a problem to accommodate cargo ships weighing 100000 tons here!” said local engineer Eric.

It is reported that the Kribi Deepwater Port Phase II project is expected to be completed by the end of this year, and two additional berths will be added at that time. The Kazakh government has also planned 15000 hectares of land near the port for the construction of industrial and logistics parks, which have attracted multiple factories and logistics companies to settle in.

The Kribi Rollabe Expressway, also constructed by China Harbour, has been open to traffic for nearly two years. “This road connects the Kribi deep-water port and major cities in the country, which will greatly promote Cameroon’s industrialization process,” said Emmanuel Enganu Jumensi, Minister of Public Works of Cameroon.

To be rich, first build roads. China has participated in the construction of more than 6000 kilometers of railways, 6000 kilometers of roads, nearly 20 ports, and more than 80 large-scale power facilities in Africa… With the support of the the Belt and Road Initiative, China Africa cooperation in infrastructure construction has yielded fruitful results, and the quality of projects is excellent, playing an important role in Africa’s industrial development and economic transformation.

“Africa’s industrialization started late and had a weak foundation. Only by improving infrastructure, promoting connectivity and economic integration, can Africa carry out large-scale industrial production activities and effectively integrate the sales market of industrial products.” said Costantinos, a professor at the University of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.

Assist in “Made in Africa”

In the early morning, in the industrial town of Mbale in eastern Uganda, local workers in groups of three or five walked through the gate of the Central Umbale Industrial Park and entered various factories to start a new day of work.

This national industrial park is about 200 kilometers away from the capital of Uganda, Kampala. It is invested and operated by Chinese private enterprise Tiantang Group. Since its launch in March 2018, it has attracted more than 40 enterprises to settle in and created more than 5000 job opportunities for the local area.

Home appliances, daily chemicals, home textiles, building materials, pharmaceuticals, automobile manufacturing… Riding in a park covering thousands of acres, the reporter found that the industries gathered here are closely related to the lives of Ugandan people. “Our original intention in building an industrial park is to help fill the gap in Uganda’s important production areas and reduce consumption costs. Currently, the park has incubated multiple local brands of televisions and smartphones,” said Wang Wentong, General Manager of Tiantang Group.

In recent years, the Diamniaju Industrial Park in Senegal, the Leki Free Trade Zone in Nigeria, and the China Egypt Teda Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone… These cooperation parks, in which China has participated in investment, have played a role in attracting investment from African countries, quickly attracting enterprises to build industrial clusters, forming industrial development advantages, and driving the development of manufacturing in African countries, accelerating local industrialization processes.

David Bahati, Minister of Industry of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperation of Uganda, said that Chinese enterprises and investors in industrial parks operated in Uganda utilize local resources to develop manufacturing, helping Africa China industrial cooperation to continuously reach new heights, which is in line with the goals of the African Union’s 2063 Agenda. “We look forward to these industrial parks nurturing more local African brands and bringing ‘Made in Africa’ to the world!”

Cultivate modern industrial talents

Entering the production digital control center of the southeast ore body of Zambia’s Qianbixi Copper Mine, the operation of various production processes such as mining, excavation, machinery, and transportation can be clearly seen on the large screen. “Even without going down the well, we can still have a deep understanding of the underground dynamics,” said Mverwa Dean, Assistant General Manager of China Africa Mining Co., Ltd. (China Africa Mining).

Zhongse Nonferrous Mine is a company jointly invested and established by China Nonferrous Mining Group and Zambia United Copper Mine Investment Holding Company to redevelop the Qianbixi Copper Mine, which has been closed for more than ten years. In the deep mining tunnels, the roar of machines is incessant, but this “digital mine” no longer relies heavily on manual underground mining. Instead, it is replaced by an integrated computer control system, which uses digital means to achieve controllable production processes and refined business management, helping frontline workers solve safety production problems.

Faced with a new round of global technological revolution and industrial transformation, the development of new quality productivity has become a key engine for promoting high-quality cooperation between China and Africa. Currently, exchanges between China and Africa in the fields of new technology, new energy, and new industries are becoming increasingly close, which is of great significance in helping to improve and upgrade industrial cooperation between China and Africa, cultivating local modern industrial talents, and promoting sustainable development in Africa.

The Luban Workshop in Rwanda was established in collaboration between Zhejiang Jinhua Vocational and Technical College in China and the Rwanda Institute of Technology. In April this year, 30 local students flew to China to embark on a one-year vocational skills learning journey.

“Electrical automation technology is ubiquitous in various fields of modern industry, and studying this major can contribute to the industrialization development of our country,” said Ishimwe Yasher, a third year student majoring in electrical automation, in an interview with reporters before departure

“The importance of talent in innovative development is self-evident,” said Kenyan scholar and former Deputy Minister of Transport, Garrison Ikiyara. In recent years, China has helped many African countries cultivate industrial and technological talents, helping them transform the demographic dividend into development advantages.

This is the first phase of the Kribi Deepwater Port project, filmed on October 22, 2022 in the southern region of Cameroon. Xinhua News Agency (Science Popularization Photo)

This is a photo taken on July 29, 2022 in Kribi, Cameroon on the Kribi Rolabe Expressway. Xinhua News Agency (Science Popularization Photo)

On April 5, 2024, in Mbale City, Uganda, people went to work at the Central Umale Industrial Park. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Yahui

On April 5, 2024, two workers conducted product quality inspection in the workshop at the Central Umbale Industrial Park in Mbale, Uganda. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Yahui

This is a drone photo taken on March 1, 2024 in a corner of the Leki Free Trade Zone in Lagos, Nigeria. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Han Xu

This is a video screenshot taken on December 4, 2023, of the second phase of the Diamniaju Industrial Park project in Senegal. Xinhua Social Development (provided by Sichuan Road and Bridge Group)

This is a corner of Zhongse Africa Mining Co., Ltd. captured on June 3, 2024 in Kitwe, Copperbelt Province, Zambia. Xinhua News Agency (provided by Zhongse Africa Mining Co., Ltd.)

On June 3, 2024, in Kitwe, Copperbelt Province, Zambia, Zambian employees participated in the training through virtual technology equipment at the Mine Skills Training School of Zhongse Non Mining Company. Xinhua News Agency (provided by Zhongse Africa Mining Co., Ltd.)

On June 4, 2024, in Kitwe, Zambia’s Copperbelt Province, Zambian employees remotely operated underground mining equipment production operations at the digital control center for the production of the southeast ore body at the Qianbixi Copper Mine. Xinhua News Agency (provided by Zhongse Africa Mining Co., Ltd.)

 

Beijing, June 24th (Xinhua) – The Second Senior Officials Meeting of the Horn of Africa Peace Conference was held in Beijing on June 24th. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Xiaodong, Special Envoy for Horn of Africa Affairs Xue Bing, representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and the National Agency for International Development Cooperation, as well as senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda and other countries and their embassies in China attended the meeting.

Chen Xiaodong stated in his opening speech that over the past two years, China has been working together with the countries of the Horn of Africa to focus on the three major goals of “security, development, and governance”, and taking practical actions to promote regional peace and development. China is willing to continue to be a peer partner on the path of peace with the countries of the Horn of Africa, guided by global security initiatives, and building a “great security” pattern with the concept of great peace, striving to be a pioneer in jointly maintaining peace; Continue to be a peer partner on the development path, take the implementation of global development initiatives as the guide, work together to build the “the Belt and Road” with high quality, and strive to be a pioneer of common development; Continue to be a peer partner on the path of justice, actively participate in the reform and construction of the global governance system, uphold international fairness and justice and the common interests of developing countries, and strive to be the pioneer in upholding justice. China is willing to work together with other countries in the Horn of Africa to build it into a corner of peace, development, and prosperity, and jointly build a high-level community with a shared future between China and Africa.

All parties present actively evaluated China’s aforementioned proposals, appreciated the positive results achieved in implementing the concept, and thanked China for its contributions to this end. All parties had in-depth and candid exchanges on the implementation of the next “plan” and the promotion of regional peace and development. They unanimously agreed to focus on five aspects: peace, security, development, cooperation, and governance, and promote more new achievements in bilateral cooperation, better benefiting the people of both sides.

It is reported that the “Concept of Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa” is a “Chinese plan” proposed by the Chinese side in early 2022 to support the peace and development process in the Horn of Africa, aiming to support regional countries in unity and self-improvement, and strive to achieve long-term stability, development and prosperity in the region. With the joint efforts of both parties, the implementation of the concept has progressed smoothly, effectively assisting regional countries in coordinating responses to the three major challenges of security, development, and governance, and has been widely welcomed by regional countries.

Lisbon, June 23 (Xinhua) – Deputy Mayor of Porto, Portugal, Araujo, recently stated that Portugal and China have deep historical, cultural, and emotional ties, and there is great potential for economic and trade cooperation between the two sides.

At an event held in Porto, Alauro said that China is Portugal’s largest trading partner in Asia, and Portugal is one of the countries in Europe that receives the most per capita investment from China. There is still great potential for growth and development in trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. Both sides should strengthen cooperation in areas such as digital industry, green economy, renewable energy, and health industry. Portugal has talent, knowledge, technology, and innovation advantages in these areas.

Chinese Ambassador to Portugal Zhao Bentang and President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Yang Wanming delivered keynote speeches, reviewing the history of friendly exchanges with mutual respect and mutual benefit between China and Portugal over the 45 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. The Director of the Macao Economic and Trade Office in Lisbon, Jia Peier, and the Director of the Hengqin Economic Development Bureau, Li Ziwei, respectively introduced the achievements made by Macao in the 25 years since its return to China and the new opportunities brought by the Hengqin Guangdong Macao Deep Cooperation Zone to China Portugal economic and trade cooperation.

This event was jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Portugal, the Porto City Government, the Portuguese China Chamber of Commerce, and the Chinese Enterprise Association. Nearly 100 representatives from the political, economic, academic, business, and media sectors of China and Portugal attended.

Kunming, June 22 (Xinhua) – The 8th China South Asia Expo and the 28th China Kunming Import and Export Fair, jointly hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and the People’s Government of Yunnan Province, will be held in Kunming from July 23 to 28, 2024, according to the Executive Committee of the 8th South China Expo.

It is reported that the 8th South China International Fair will be themed “Unity, Cooperation, and Common Development”, and will strive to achieve “better and better” in accordance with the principles of “frugality, efficiency, and pragmatism”. The exhibition will achieve two “firsts”: to highlight professional attributes and serve economic and trade transactions, it will be the first to divide professional exhibition areas by product category, establish a comprehensive foreign trade service area for the first time, build a worry free platform for trade, continuously deepen and expand the “comprehensive exhibition, professional operation” model, and continuously improve the quality and efficiency of the exhibition, as well as the level of marketization and specialization.

The 8th South China Expo will be held online and offline simultaneously, with 15 exhibition halls and an exhibition area of 150000 square meters set up offline; Build a cloud based Nanbo platform online, hold cloud exhibitions, live broadcasts, and discussions. The exhibition will further play its role as a platform for trade in goods, investment promotion, tourism cooperation and cultural exchange, and promote the high-quality development of the “the Belt and Road”.

Xinhua News Agency, St. Petersburg, June 21 (Reporter An Xiaomeng) The “the Belt and Road” international skills exchange activity was held in St. Petersburg, Russia, on the 20th. A team of skills experts from China and their Russian counterparts shared technology and experience.

The event focuses on projects such as industrial robot system operation, electrical devices, automotive technology, hairdressing, and beauty, aiming to promote mutual learning and learning between China and Russia in vocational education and skilled talent cultivation. Through practical demonstrations, skill training, and other forms, the Chinese and Russian skill teams have enhanced their understanding of both cultures and technologies, laying the foundation for future skill cooperation.

This event, co sponsored by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China, the National Development and Reform Commission, is a warm-up activity for the second “the Belt and Road” International Skills Competition. The competition will be held in Chongqing from June 24 to 26, and is committed to promoting skills exchange and cooperation among countries jointly building the “the Belt and Road”.