Chenzhou’s friendship with Africa began 20 years ago. In 2003, Chenzhou opened an office in South Africa, which was a prelude to friendly relations and cooperation between Chenzhou and African countries. On September 23, 2016, Chenzhou and Kimberley City, the capital of Northern Cape in South Africa, became sister cities. Today, Chenzhou has continuously deepened cooperation in economy and trade with African countries. Chenzhou and Africa are writing a new chapter of the economic and trade cooperation between them. 

 

 

In April 2022, Hunan Jinsong Automobile Co., Ltd. signed orders with Tanzania through “Quality Chenzhou”, the digital platform for China-Africa trade. One month later, on May 17, 50 flatbed semi trailers were successfully shipped for export with an export value of 1.185 million dollars. It was the first export order of special purpose vehicles in Hunan Province, making a breakthrough in Chenzhou special purpose vehicles to Africa. 

 

On February 8, the Belt and Road Africa Economic Promotion Initiative Center (BRAEPIC) signed strategic cooperation framework agreements with the Xiangnan (Southern Hunan) International Logistics Park at Chenzhou International Land Port, which marked a new stage of the trade cooperation between Chenzhou International Land Port and Africa.

 

 

In the future, the two sides will carry out regular exchanges and cooperation with each other. The import trade of non-ferrous metal mineral products will be carried out by combining the industrial advantages of Chenzhou’s smelting production capacity and mineral trade. And efforts will be made to promote the export trade of Chenzhou’s agricultural produce, farm machinery, mining equipment, hardware and electrical equipment, and import trade of African timber, establish a two-way trade channel for Chenzhou-Africa imports and exports, including overseas warehouses and exhibition and display centers for African goods.

 

As the highland of opening up of Hunan’s cooperation with Africa, in recent years, Chenzhou has made full use of the platforms, including Chenzhou National Sustainable Development Agenda Innovation Demonstration Zone, Chenzhou Area of China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone, China-Africa Economic Trade In-depth Cooperation Pilot Zone, China Cross-border E-commerce Comprehensive Pilot Area, to explore a new path on trade with Africa and promote deeper cooperation between both sides.

 

Meanwhile, Chenzhou has given full play to the role of “Quality Chenzhou”, the digital platform for China-Africa trade, and mobilized Chenzhou’s high-quality manufacturers on the platform to seek African orders for Hunan Yuanjing Heavy Industry Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and Chenzhou Xinsanli Rice Husking Machinery Co., Ltd. At present, the platform has helped Hunan Jinsong Automobile Co., Ltd. obtain orders worth 6.68 million yuan. The various products from more than 60 enterprises have been available on the platform. More than 200 potential export products produced by 100 enterprises in Chenzhou are placed in the display hall of Chenzhou International Land Port to improve the visibility of the enterprises for more foreign orders.

 

 

Followed by Changsha City, Yueyang City and Yongzhou City, Chenzhou economic and trade delegation was the fourth Hunan’s municipal government group visiting Africa. From May 8 to 15, the Chenzhou economic and trade delegation went to South Africa and Zambia to carry out economic and trade activities. During the visit, Hunan (Chenzhou)-South Africa Economic and Trade Matchmaking Fair was held to promote Hunan’s conditions, especially Chenzhou’s various resources, and introduce the activities of the third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo. This visit played a good role for Chenzhou to greatly expand overseas channels, partner with African countries and regions, improve overseas service network and help enterprises expand overseas markets.

 

On the afternoon of July 1, the delegation of Zambia and South Africa participating in the third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo arrived in Chenzhou. During their stay in Chenzhou, the delegations inspected the development situation of Chenzhou cultural tourism industry in Gaoyi Ridge of Suxian District and Dongjiang Lake of Zixing City. They also visited enterprises such as Jin Gui Yin Ye, Hunan Chenzhou Grain&Oil Machinery and other enterprises, and attended the Chenzhou-Zambia-South Africa Economic and Trade Exchange and Promotion Meeting.

 

 

There are increasingly frequent economic and trade exchanges between Chenzhou and Africa thanks to their solid friendship, and the construction path of Chenzhou Area of China-Africa Economic Trade In-depth Cooperation Pilot Zone has also been gradually expanded.

 

In 2022, Chenzhou City’s import and export to Africa was 2.992 billion yuan, ranking 5th in Hunan, with a year-on-year increase of 5.03%. A total of 197 enterprises had economic cooperation with Africa, with 129 enterprises first exporting to Africa. From January to May in 2023, Chenzhou’s import and export trade with Africa was 2.046 billion yuan, ranking 4th in Hunan, with an increase of 151.44% year on year. The main export products are platinum plate, unforged platinum, hardware tools, electromechanical products, etc.

 

At present, Chenzhou is moving faster to build itself into a “world tourist destination”, “national innovation demonstration zone” and “key growth pole of Hunan”. Under the development of the “Belt and Road” Initiative, Chenzhou will continue to embark on the path of opening up and seeking win-win cooperation with Africa.