Gao Yunlong, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), attended and delivered a speech at the 2021 China-Africa Private Sector Cooperation Forum in Changsha, capital of Central China's Hunan province, on Sept 27.

More than 150 people from governmental departments, international organizations, research institutes and enterprises attended the forum, which was jointly organized by the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) and the Hunan Provincial Government.

Gao, also chairman of the federation, said investment by Chinese private enterprises in Africa is booming and has played an important role in driving economic growth, creating jobs and improving people's livelihoods in African countries. The investment also shows the trend of moving up the value chain, expanding to new areas and taking the form of multilateral or bilateral partnerships, according to Gao.

In the face of new opportunities and challenges, it's necessary to underpin China-Africa relations in the new era through stronger economic and trade cooperation, he said. To this end, efforts are needed to improve the development environment, advance trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, unlock the potential for cooperation in the private sector, and also realize greater collaboration.

Gao also said private enterprises should engage in investment and cooperation in innovative ways and strive to accelerate strides in industries of the new economy.