Youth festival boosts China-Africa ties

In a bustling self-service restaurant, the atmosphere pulsates with energy as African youth and Chinese volunteers sway to the rhythm of music, their colorful and diverse attire creating a kaleidoscope of hues.

Amid the joyful ambience, the air is filled with a symphony of greetings spoken in languages ranging from the melodious tones of Mandarin, the crisp articulation of English, the elegant flow of French, and the richness of the African tongue.

This lively moment encapsulates the essence of the 8th China-Africa Youth Festival.

The event, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and the provincial government of Zhejiang, brought together 64 young representatives from various African countries on a trip from May 19 to 26 to Beijing and Jinhua, Zhejiang province.

During the trip, participants experienced traditional Chinese culture, engaged with Chinese government departments, took part in China-Africa youth dialogues and visited historical and cultural sites.

One of their stops in Beijing was the Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling in Xicheng district. Soong, a notable Chinese political figure and wife of Sun Yat-sen, a pioneer of China's democratic revolution, lived and worked there.

The residence preserves the vivid scenes of her daily life — artifacts and photographs displayed at the residence narrate her significant contributions to China's revolution and her advocacy for women's rights and children's welfare.

Mariama Bah from Sierra Leone, one of the African youth representatives, was among the group. She is the station manager of Rise Radio FM 96.3, a community service media organization that aims to amplify the voices of women, girls and young people on critical issues affecting them and promote human rights.

She says she was inspired by Soong's dedication to the welfare of women and children and by the foundation's initiatives aimed at ensuring women's rights and youth health.

"We have to leave a legacy behind," she says.

She plans to network with the foundation to explore potential collaborations on women's empowerment and improving children's welfare.

Ahmed Hassan Wehlie, an online influencer from Somalia, says that their visit to the residence was enriched by young volunteers who shared anecdotes and lesser-known stories about Soong's life. "We were deeply moved by their dedication and hospitality. Their enthusiasm made our visit informative and underscored the importance of preserving and sharing historical heritage," he says.

Throughout the journey, as they traveled by bus and high-speed train, attended parties and watched performances and interacted with local Chinese people, Wehlie recorded videos to share on social media platforms.

"The videos will show China's development to the people in Somalia and how the Chinese government creates opportunities for the younger generation," he says.

The 28-year-old holds a bachelor's degree in information technology and a master's degree in mass media communication.

After graduation, he initiated an NGO that promoted peace-building in Somalia by empowering and training youth from diverse backgrounds in mediation and negotiation skills.

"We also hold monthly seminars attended by government and industry leaders, giving young people a chance to engage in conversations with them," he says.

In 2021, sponsored by the government, he cofounded Dawan TV, a private media outlet that brings together young people from various backgrounds to produce educational video content for Somali audiences.

Through the media and activities organized by the NGO, he states, "We want to gather a youth community that shares the same goal of making Somalia a better country."

He believes that improving young people's lives and enabling their active participation in society both online and offline is crucial for building sustainable peace and development in Somalia.

He also hopes that through actively sharing on his social media accounts and encouraging other young people to do the same, they can change the stereotypes about Somalia.

"Many people still think Somalia is in the midst of conflict, but we are now a peaceful country. We want to unite young people to dispel these stereotypes, attract investment and encourage travelers to come for vacation," he says.

As someone deeply invested in youth issues and peace-building, Wehlie has expressed his long-standing desire to visit China to deepen his understanding of its politics and democratic development. He credits the China-Africa Youth Festival for granting him the chance to experience China for the first time.

The festival was established following the agreement reached by the delegations during the 2015 summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Its objective is to foster youth exchanges between China and Africa, uphold the long-standing friendship between the two regions and nurture future leaders for the advancement of China-Africa relations.

The program also provided Adama Cabality Sallah, who works for Gambia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with her first trip to China.

"This experience has broadened my perspective on China and deepened my understanding of the relationship between China and Gambia. When I compile my report and offer my recommendations, it will offer my colleagues who haven't yet visited China a clearer understanding," she says.

"After everything I've explored, my recommendations will speak louder to my ministry. Hopefully, this will lead to more collaborations between China and Gambia."

She will possibly return to China for the upcoming summit of the FOCAC to be held this autumn in Beijing.

In recent years, Zhejiang province has consistently ranked as one of China's top destinations for trade with Africa. Within Zhejiang, Jinhua city has particularly stood out.

Last year, Jinhua's trade with Africa reached 116.85 billion yuan ($16.46 billion), making up 30.8 percent of Zhejiang's total trade volume with Africa.

Zhang Jiming, secretary-general of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, emphasizes that the China-Africa Youth Festival aims to give African youth representatives a firsthand experience of Zhejiang's remarkable transformation, to foster a deeper understanding of the friendship between the people of Zhejiang and Africa and lay a solid foundation for comprehensive exchanges and cooperation between them.

"Zhejiang will continue to focus on promoting economic and trade cooperation, enhancing cultural exchanges and strengthening the friendship between China and Africa, further advancing friendly cooperation with Africa," Zhang states.

During their time in Jinhua, the representatives' itinerary included visits to an electric vehicle manufacturer, the Yiwu International Trade Market, Hengdian World Studios and the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University.

As they arrived at the Yiwu International Trade Market, one of the world's largest wholesale markets, Abdul-Jabbar Hashim Kolo from Nigeria wasted no time diving in to search for business opportunities.

"I'm looking for products I can wholesale from Yiwu to sell in Nigeria," he says, expressing interest in solar energy products, electronic locks and agricultural tools. He has collected contact information from numerous shop owners.

With a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom, the 29-year-old now operates the Ateef Law Firm in Nigeria.

Specializing in transaction advisory services for the energy and natural resources sectors, he explains, "We typically offer legal consulting services to foreigners interested in investing in Nigeria."

He met several potential clients throughout the journey in Jinhua.

"I've had the opportunity to meet many Chinese individuals keen on venturing into businesses involving electric vehicles and solar products in Africa. They are seeking new markets," he says.

Reflecting on the trip, he says, "I've observed many similarities between the people here and those in Africa, particularly in terms of arts and crafts."

Additionally, he's also identified valuable lessons in China's development for Nigeria.

"One challenge we face in Nigeria is the mass urban migration from rural areas, placing pressure on social services and urban infrastructure. However, I've witnessed considerable investment in agriculture in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, which I think is very important," he says.

"Before coming to China, I heard a lot about the country's remarkable achievements in science, technology, economic development and improving people's livelihoods. I've been looking forward to visiting China for many years. This journey exposed me to several opportunities," he says.