Fujian hosts seminar on Chinese modernization and african development

The Seminar on Chinese Modernization and African Development was held from Oct 24 to 31 in Fujian province, bringing together 42 government, think tank, and media representatives from the African Union and African countries.

Organized by the Department of African Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and hosted by the Fujian Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, the seminar featured an opening address by Ambassador Lei Kezhong of the ministry's Department of African Affairs.

Lei said China and Africa shared a common future and mutual interests. He noted that this year marked the 70th anniversary of China-Africa diplomatic relations and a year of significant progress in bilateral cooperation, citing China's implementation of zero-tariff treatment for all African countries with which it has diplomatic ties, alongside activities marking the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

Through lectures and discussions, participants learned about Fujian's experience in Chinese modernization, ecological conservation, and sustainable development. They also visited cultural, environmental, and industrial sites in Xiamen, Quanzhou, and Fuzhou, including Gulangyu Island and the Third Institute of Oceanography (TIO).

The seminar left participants impressed by Fujian's progress in marine biodiversity conservation and green development. They voiced support for Xiamen's bid to host the secretariat of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), expressed interest in adapting Fujian's experience to their own countries, and sought to expand cooperation with the province.