Zhuzhou trade event to boost China-Africa trade ties

The Zhuzhou Land Port Cooperation and Exchange Event was held in Zhuzhou, Hunan province, on Friday.

As part of the sub-forum for the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, the event gathered nearly 300 participants from 15 countries and regions to support Zhuzhou's development as a strategic logistics hub for Africa under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Key activities included enterprise presentations, the unveiling of several inland port projects, the signing of multiple cooperation agreements (including logistics, overseas warehouses, and procurement), and keynote speeches.

Twenty-five new Hunan-Guangdong-Africa rail-sea routes, which are China's route to Africa with the widest port coverage, lowest cost and quickest journey, have been launched at the event.

A new Hunan-Shenzhen-Hong Kong train service linking Zhuzhou directly to Hong Kong by rail has also been launched.

Participants jointly released the 2025 Zhuzhou Land Port Cooperation Declaration, pledging to establish a regular exchange mechanism and collaboratively build an open trade platform, enhance logistics capabilities, expand cooperation, and create a model for China-Africa economic ties. Attendees also toured local industrial sites and witnessed a rail-sea intermodal train departure.

Zhuzhou has strengthened its role in China-Africa trade, notably through its pioneering Hunan-Guangdong-Africa rail-sea express, which has shipped over 200,000 TEUs through 2,440 trips to 180 countries and regions. The newly planned 16.63 sq km China-Africa Economic and Trade Zhuzhou Land Port project aims to create a comprehensive logistics, trade, and industrial hub leveraging national platforms and major transport corridors.

Zhu Youfang contributed to the story.