The 2025 Forum on China-Africa Economic, Trade, and Cultural Cooperation was held in Jinhua, China, on November 7. This forum, a key engagement event under the “Forums on China-Africa Cooperation” framework, aimed at impelling collaborative efforts toward deeper, higher-quality, and more expansive cooperation between Africa and China. The forum's host city of Jinhua, located in Zhejiang province, is among the earliest of China’s cities to invest in and engage with Africa, having established extensive cooperation with African nations across economic, trade, and cultural sectors.
Reports indicate that, as of November 5, several African mainstream media outlets began airing an international promotional film about the city of Jinhua. The video, themed “Empathetic Cultural Discourseć»Mutually Beneficial Cooperation,” showcased the rich historical and cultural heritage of Wuzhou Ancient City, the bustling commerce of Yiwu International Trade City, and the innovative practices of the city's high-tech enterprises. Through the cinematic lens, a bridge for dialogue was forged between Africa and China, one conveying the profoundly deep bond of connected trade and mutual affection existing between the peoples of Africa and China.
Through the film, audiences learned that every day, billions of yuan worth of goods are shipped from Yiwu—the world's largest hub for small commodities—to Africa, and that Jinhua's dedicated integrated services platform system facilitates Africa-China trade and commerce transactions through multilingual, networked services.
To the African peoples, “Jinhua” has long transcended geographical boundaries. The city’s small commodities have enriched the stalls of Dakar’s markets, while its agricultural machinery has aided farmers in Lagos in reaping bountiful harvests. “Jinhua” has become the hallmark for exchange and cooperation between Africa and China.
