At the same time, during the docking and exchange activities, Chenzhou has actively expanded cooperation in non-ferrous metals, mining, agricultural machinery and other fields, actively connected into the Belt and Road Initiative, made unremitting efforts to create “Chenzhou experience” in building a pilot zone for in-depth China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, and achieved greater results in opening up and development.

 

For example, in Zambia and South Africa, agricultural machines produced by CLJ and Hunan Nongfu were widely used. Through the Hunan-Guangdong-Africa rail-sea intermodal transportation channel, lead and zinc mines from Africa were directly imported into Chenzhou. Hydropower technicians from Chenzhou helped build the West Waandu Hydropower Station in Zambia.

 

 

From February 21 to March 1 this year, the economic and trade delegation of Chenzhou City visited the African countries such as South Africa, Zambia, and Guinea to carry out economic and trade exchanges and cooperation, and achieved remarkable results.

 

At the China (Chenzhou) - South Africa Economic and Trade Exchange Matchmaking Conference held in South Africa, the local government of Chenzhou City and Delmas City signed a letter of intent for sister-city cooperation. 

 

On that day, 8 Chenzhou enterprises involving in agricultural machinery, mining machinery, automobiles, and electric energy reached agreements of intent with relevant departments and enterprises in South Africa. 

 

In a series of economic and trade activities held afterwards, companies such as Hengsheng Power, Dongtang Electrical Equipment and HENGDA MINERAL CONCENTRATION MACHINERY signed agreements with companies such as Zambia Northwest Energy, SDLG Investment, and SHANGDONG Equipment, with the intended contract amount of 60.6753 million US dollars.

 

Chenzhou has a strong foundation for cooperation with Africa. As early as 2003, Chenzhou established an office in South Africa, and since then, Chenzhou has been engaged in exchanges and cooperation with Africa for over 20 years. 

 

In recent years, with its free trade pilot zone and international land port, plus the National Sustainable Development Agenda Innovation Demonstration Zone, pilot zone for in-depth China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, national cross-border e-commerce comprehensive bonded zone, etc, Chenzhou has formed a whole-process international logistics service model for the Hunan-Guangdong-Africa rail-sea intermodal transformation, injecting strong momentum into the economic and trade cooperation between Chenzhou and Africa.

 

In May of this year, Chenzhou’s enterprises were organized to participate in the 2024 China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (Kenya) Exhibition. The Counsellor of the Zambian Embassy in China and his delegation were invited to Chenzhou to attend the 12th Mining Expo and other activities for further exchanges and cooperation, as well as friendship. 

 

A number of cooperation projects are in progress steadily. Hunan Dahua Heavy Industry Intelligent Equipment Company signed a framework agreement on mining equipment and mineral trade cooperation with Namibia. Dongjiang Fish Group signed a fishery and aquaculture investment cooperation agreement with Malawi.

 

Chenzhou has achieved fruitful results in cooperation with Africa. In the first six months of this year, Hunan-Guangdong-Africa and sea-based freight trains shipped 4,274 TEUs, an increase of 8% over the same period last year, and achieved 93.1516 million US dollars in import and export volume, a year-on-year increase of 40%.

 

The previous sessions of the China (Hunan) International Mineral & Gem Expo  attracted more than 1,000 enterprises from more than 50 countries and regions around the world, such as South Africa, with a total turnover of 12.44 billion yuan.

 

 

With the help of the city government, a series of docking and exchange activities have become an important window for economic and trade cooperation between Chenzhou and Africa. These not only expand the influence of Chenzhou brands, but also expands new cooperation opportunities for enterprises.

 

A batch of newly produced semi-trailers parked in the open space of Hunan Chengxin Special Purpose Vehicle Company will be sent to the African market.

 

“In recent years, the company’s order volume has steadily increased by 30% annually.” Li Yongfa, general manager of the company, said that the company targets the African market, produces specialized vehicles, and tailors models with stronger load-bearing capacity, better corrosion resistance and wear resistance, and lighter body weight. This not only greatly improves the loading capacity, but also doubles the service life.

 

At present, the company has sold nearly 300 units of products to Africa, and the order volume is increasing.

 

After learning about the potentials of African market, Chenzhou enterprises have made efforts to seek markets, orders and cooperation opportunities.

 

The ball mill products of Chenzhou Hengda Mineral Concentration Machinery Plant Co., Ltd widely used in the mining industry have been continuously optimized, with higher assembly accuracy and lower friction resistance. This not only improves production efficiency but also makes them more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. 

 

“The continuous improvement of production technology has given us more confidence. We have participated in the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo multiple times and have received a large number of orders,” said Wu Jian, chairman of Hengda Mineral Concentration Machinery.

 

“Made in Chenzhou” products become popular in Africa.

 

During the visit of the Chenzhou economic and trade delegation to Africa this year, through discussions, exchanges, and connections, companies such as Hengda Mineral Concentration Machinery, Hunan Precision Forging and Casting, Jinsong Automobile have respectively sought more than 10 potential customers with the intended amount of approximately 15 million US dollars for purchase of 492 semi-trailers, sanitation vehicles and other vehicles.

 

More and more Chenzhou enterprises are entering Africa, which has also driven more “Chenzhou made” products such as agricultural machinery and mining equipment to be exported to Africa.

 

 

Chenzhou products get popular in the African market, and the bright prospects of Chenzhou-Africa cooperation have become a consensus for economic and trade exchanges and cooperation between the two regions.

 

The African market has strong demand and great potential. Africa urgently needs international cooperation in infrastructure construction, funding, technology, and other areas, with broad market demand in industries such as electricity, mining, automobile manufacturing, and agricultural machinery.

 

There are many opportunities and broad prospects for cooperation between Chenzhou and Africa. Chenzhou's non-ferrous metal industry that has a foundation and technology, with strong mineral smelting capabilities, and advanced agricultural machinery are exactly what African countries need, while Africa's abundant mineral resources can provide guarantees for our city's industrial supply chain. 

 

During the exchange activities, South Africa, Zambia, and Guinea all expressed a strong desire to engage in economic and trade cooperation with Chenzhou city, laying the foundation for further deepening the cooperation between Chenzhou and Africa.

 

Chenzhou continued to optimize services, established long-term mechanisms for liaison services with enterprises, to ensure that all enterprises can “go global” faster and better. 

 

At the same time, relying on the resource advantages of the provincial “Going Global” Alliance and the Provincial Mining International Cooperation Industry Alliance, Chenzhou helped enterprises build a platform for information sharing and complementary advantages, empowering the cooperative development of mining or infrastructure projects.

 

With the continuous deepening of the economic and trade cooperation and exchanges between Chenzhou and Africa, the import and export volume has been increasing steadily. 

 

In 2022, the total import and export value of Chenzhou to Africa was 2.992 billion yuan. In 2023, the total import and export value of Chenzhou to Africa reached 6.784 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 126.71%. From January to June 2024, the total import and export value of Chenzhou to Africa hit 6.06 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 132.9%.

 

The constantly rising economic and trade data reflects the broad prospects of Chenzhou-Africa cooperation.

 

Chenzhou will expand opening up through various Chenzhou-Africa channels, build the Chenzhou area as a leading zone for deep economic and trade cooperation between China and Africa, continue to deepen economic and trade exchanges and cooperation with Africa, actively promote Chenzhou products to Africa and introduce African products into Chenzhou for a higher level of mutual benefits and win-win results.