Cao Zhiqiang, vice governor of Hunan Province, led a delegation on a visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zimbabwe from April 13 to 20. The move aimed to implement the spirit of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, carry out a series of economic and trade negotiations and project matchmaking activities, and deepen exchanges and cooperation between Hunan and Africa.

The Hunan delegation visited the Chinese Embassy in the DRC and the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe, and paid a visit to government departments including the DRC's Ministry of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Mines, as well as Zimbabwe's Ministry of Health and Child Care, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, and Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.

The delegation engaged in discussions with Chinese entrepreneurs, Hunan-based entrepreneurs, and former participants in foreign aid training programs in the DRC, and attended the nameplate unveiling ceremony of the Hunan Chamber of Commerce in the DRC and the Alumni Association of Participants from the DRC in China's Foreign Aid Training Programs. The delegation conducted field visits to China-aided agricultural technical assistance projects in the DRC and the China-Zimbabwe Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, visited and extended greetings to the 22nd batch of the Chinese (Hunan) medical team in Zimbabwe, and witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements between relevant Chinese and Zimbabwean enterprises.

Cao Zhiqiang stated that Hunan and Africa share high industrial compatibility and strong complementarity, with economic and trade cooperation demonstrating positive momentum, broad prospects, and great potential. He expressed the hope that the DRC and Zimbabwe will actively participate in the construction of a pioneering zone for in-depth China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, aiming to elevate China-DRC and China-Zimbabwe cooperation across various fields, as well as Hunan-DRC and Hunan-Zimbabwe economic and trade collaboration to new heights. He encouraged Hunan-based enterprises in Africa to seize opportunities, make pioneering efforts, continue to operate lawfully, and actively fulfill social responsibilities. He also invited representatives from the DRC and Zimbabwe to attend the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo. 

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: hunan.gov.cn