China Africa Talk

Alazi Soumaila Rawdoth from Benin now shines on the Chinese big screens. In the film "Formed Police Unit," she brings the heartfelt tales of Chinese peacekeepers and the lives they protect. Known affectionately as Mulan, Rawdoth shares her journey and role in building cultural bridges between Africa and China.

Unprecedented heavy rains and flooding have been wreaking havoc across East Africa, displacing hundreds and thousands. We examine the devastating situation through firsthand experiences and discuss ways to tackle climate challenges and foster sustainability.

As a premium manufacturer and consumer of clean-energy products, China has contributed to the global green transformation. In 2023 alone, its exports of electric vehicles, solar cells, and lithium-ion batteries soared by 30 percent. But there arises the accusation of so-called "overcapacity" in China’s clean energy industries. In this episode, we discuss the demand and supply of Chinese green products in Africa and how they have helped with local green transformation.

On April 26,1964, China and Tanzania established diplomatic relations. Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Chen Mingjian speaks with us on how the bilateral ties have evolved over the last 60 years. The ambassador says China and Tanzania enjoy solid political trust and wide cooperation, which have been a cornerstone of China-Africa relations. She unravels how the bilateral relations have entered the best period in history as she believes.

Gabonese Luc Bendza is a familiar face in numerous Chinese films and TV dramas. We talk to Luc to unravel his four-decade journey in China, and learn how he believes film industries are pivotal in fostering deeper understanding and friendship between Africa and China.

The 51 years of friendship-Second China-Benin Economic and Commercial Cooperation Forum is held in Beijing on April 15. We speak with Amidou Adamou to investigate the status quo of the wide cooperation between the two countries and how it promotes West Africa's economic development.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Congo. Li Xuedong, Director of the Center for East African Area Studies, Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University and Firmin Kinzounza, Founder of the Think Tank Africa 2025 Solutions, examine the legacies of this friendship over the past six-decades and opportunities that lie ahead in favor of both parties.

The 2024 China-Africa Internet Development and Cooperation Forum was held on April 2 in Xiamen City, Fujian Province. The event highlights China and Africa's joint efforts towards a better future in digital cooperation. How does China embrace information and communications technology (ICT) and further deepen its collaboration with Africa? What lessons can Africa learn from China’s track record in the continent regarding internet development and penetration? Two ICT experts join our discussion.

As we commemorates the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, we speak with James Kimonyo, Rwanda’s Ambassador to China, to listen to his reflections on the brutal killings and explore China’s role in Rwanda’s journey of rebuilding and development.

Join us for a deep dive into the recent China-Tanzania Investment Forum held in Dar es Salaam on March 27, 2024. Mr. Huang Zaisheng, Chairman of the Sino-Tanzanian Industrial Park, unravels the myriad investment opportunities that lie ahead for fostering robust economic growth between Tanzania and China. Discover the distinctive role Tanzania embodies within the broader framework of China-Africa economic cooperation.

The Third International Forum on Democracy: Shared Human Values gathers over 200 global delegates in Beijing to explore democracy's future. We speak to Charles Onunaiju, Director of the Center for China Studies of Nigeria, who attended both the second and third editions of the International Forum on Democracy and get his insights on democracy's evolving role.

The Third International Forum on Democracy: The Shared Human Values was held in Beijing on March 20. What is the common consensus on the true meaning democracy? What is the formula for democracy and how do African countries and China define it? Policy analyst Ovigwe Eguegu and Professor Victor Gao share​ their thoughts.

Zimbabwe is eyeing greater Chinese investment, aiming to boost bilateral cooperation in sectors like finance, mining, agriculture and tourism. We speak with Andrew Bvumbe, the Permanent Secretary of Zimbabwe's Ministry of Finance Economic Development & Investment Promotion, getting his thoughts on what makes Zimbabwe an attractive destination for Chinese investors and how economic collaboration between China and Zimbabwe can be improved.

The annual sessions of China's top legislature and political advisory body have kicked off in Beijing. The "two sessions", which refer to the annual sessions of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, is a highly anticipated event on the country's political calendar. Local and foreign media have gathered in Beijing to cover the event. In this episode, three African journalists share their impressions and areas of interest as China charts its way forward.

From February 27 to March 2, Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio paid state visit to China, marking the first African head of state to visit the country in 2024. This visit underscores the deepening bilateral ties and cooperation between Sierra Leone and China, a partnership that has flourished over the past fifty years. We speak with Sierra Leone's Finance Minister, Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, and the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Wang Qing, to explore the dynamics of this enduring relationship and explore future avenues of collaboration.

The 37th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of the Heads of State and Government was held on February 17 and 18 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Wang Jinjie, Research Assistant Professor at the National School of Development and the Institute of South – South Cooperation and Development of Peking University and Emile Rwagasana, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Cabinet of the Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission discuss key continental issues deliberated by the African leaders at this year's summit and analyze China's role in supporting China - AU partnerships.

Education cooperation is an integral part of China Africa partnership, fostering mutual understanding and growth. In this episode, guests in the media from Ghana, Kenya and Zimbabwe share their impressions on China's education system and its role in China's national development. They also examine the transformative impact of education initiatives such as the Luban Workshop on Africa's development.

China's State Council has approved a general plan to build a pilot zone for in-depth economic and trade cooperation between China and Africa. How significant is the timing of this development and what role will the pilot zone play in strengthening economic and trade ties between the two sides? Professor Dai Li, Research Fellow with the China-Africa Economic and Trade Institute and Dr. Khalifa Sy Diop, Research Fellow with the Hunan China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Council, share more insights.

Wetlands play a pivotal role in ensuring the health and prosperity of our global community. This year’s World Wetlands Day focuses on "Wetlands and Human Wellbeing" . In this episode we speak with Professor Yu Xiubo from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor Oscar Aghan from Kenya's National Environment Management Authority, to shed light on the indispensable value of wetlands to societies in China and Africa. They discuss the collaborative efforts needed to preserve these life-sustaining habitats.

The third summit of the Group of 77 (G77) and China was held in Uganda. How did the summit seek to enhance cooperation among the Global South? Ugandan Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Okello Oryem unpacks the summit’s outcomes and ambitions with Host Bridget Mutambirwa.