The 2023 China (Zhejiang) Forum on China-Africa Economic and Trade Relations and the China-Africa Cultural Cooperation and Exchange Month kicked off in Jinhua, East China's Zhejiang province, on Nov 8. 

Gao Yunlong, vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks. 

Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative as well as China's Africa policy of "sincerity, real results, amity and good faith". Gao said that over the past decade, China and Africa have achieved fruitful results in pragmatic cooperation through a series of initiatives, such as the Ten Cooperation Plans, the Eight Major Actions and the Nice Major Projects.

Gao, also chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), noted that China and Africa should further enhance people-to-people connectivity and exchanges to strengthen the foundation of their friendship, deepen economic and trade cooperation, and harness the supportive role of industrial innovation in trade, and establish a community of shared interests so as to promote the industrialization and economic diversification in Africa. He also stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation in social fields, to further contribute to the integration and modernization of Africa.

The ACFIC will build more platforms to integrate multiple resources for China's private enterprises to invest in Africa, and advance high-standard and sustainable China-Africa cooperation that benefits the African people, according to Gao.

The annual event was jointly hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the ACFIC and the Zhejiang provincial government.