Are there any recent specific projects in industrial cooperation worth mentioning?

In the first half of this year, Sino-African trade volumes reached $25.6 billion, up 41 percent year on year. Under such circumstances, first, we would like to assist the Chinese Government to establish investment and trade centers in some African countries to further improve economic ties. Meanwhile, we intend to assist African governments to promote their products in China, enhancing their range of exports. Meanwhile, China investment and trade centers can help Chinese enterprises with surplus stock to find new markets. We encourage Chinese business to invest in Africa and exchange investment experiences.

We will take measures to intensify financial cooperation through the efforts of the Chinese business communities. Chinese business people's advantages of buying, retailing, and cash flow networks should be fully used in establishing sound financial systems, so as to increase the capital flow among various African nations.

In the tourism sector, we have a big plan of establishing a tourism league in Africa. Through building theme tourism hotels and organizing theme tourism, the league means to accelerate the growth of the tourism economy in Africa. In other fields, we will promote cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, fishery, health, student subsidies, energy development, environmental protection and science, technologies and culture.

What are the prospects for mutual trade?

The prospects of Chinese business communities trading in Africa are very bright. Currently, the total volume of goods storage in China suitable for African markets exceeds $400 billion. However, owing to the fierce competition in the international market and the fact that the traditional markets, such as Europe, the Middle East and Latin America, have been dominated by traditional powers, it is very difficult for Chinese products to enter these markets. Where is China's ideal international market? Africa. Africa is a new market that can consume China's storage goods. Africa is a market with the most diversified consumption levels, with annual average trade value reaching $300 billion. In 2025, the figure is expected to reach $480 billion. Many countries in African have weak industrial infrastructure and a backward manufacturing industry with shortages in commodity supply. Some countries rely on importing domestic commodities, ranging from hi-tech products to commodities of daily use. This situation provides a good opportunity for Chinese business to establish their brands in Africa. In many African cities, Chinese goods, such as clothes, shoes, plastic products, ceramics, metal products and home appliances can be seen almost everywhere. Meanwhile, the prices in the African market are much higher than in Chinese domestic market.

We can now see that Africa is an ideal market for Chinese goods with large potentials and big profits. Chinese enterprises with heavy product storage should seize the opportunity to register trading companies in Africa and get involved in the retail and wholesale business. This way, they can solve the problem of surplus goods, avoiding the increasingly fierce domestic competition. Meanwhile, Africans can afford to buy what they need.

The best way for Chinese enterprises to explore the African market is to start with commodity sales. Market research is very important. Before starting business in Africa, it is very important to do extensive market research. They can start with small-scale businesses and attend local commodities fairs to promote their products. After accumulating capital, they can choose to start other operations and invest further.

How do you regard the importance and the role of the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation?

I think it is an important platform for Sino-African cooperation and exchanges, serving as an important channel to link China, the world's largest developing country, and Africa, the continent with the largest number of developing countries. Meanwhile, it is also a platform to implement the UN Millennium Goal for both China and Africa.

The forum will help to bring more entrepreneurs both from China and Africa together and solve problems in Sino-African economies and trade.