CHANGSHA, CHINA THE Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) officially opened in the Chinese city of Changsha this Thursday, bringing together government officials, business leaders, and development partners from across Africa and China.
The expo aims to further consolidate economic ties and foster shared development between the two regions, in promoting industrial development, trade facilitation, healthcare, infrastructure development, and people-to-people exchanges.
This year’s edition is running under the theme “China and Africa: Together Toward Modernisation” and seeks to build on the momentum of the 2024 FOCAC outcomes, which outlined ten key partnership action plans to strengthen cooperation across various sectors.
Speaking after touring several healthcare-related stands at the expo, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, expressed optimism that the expo will open new avenues for direct procurement of critical medical equipment, particularly in the areas of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
“China has made significant progress in healthcare, as reflected by its life expectancy. We are particularly interested in CT scan equipment and other diagnostic tools on display, as direct purchases from manufacturers could reduce costs. We hope to explore such opportunities further,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira, highlighted the evolving nature of Africa-China relations, describing them as a partnership built on mutual respect, innovation, and shared growth.
“The relationship between Africa and China is that relationship of partners. Therefore what we see is a philosophy of cooperation and this relationship that is being forged and championed by President Xi Jinping and his counterparts in Africa can only bring a new reality of modernisation in the world and also change the narrative of how to relate with Africa where Africa over the years over the centuries was taken as a source of labour and a source of raw materials but now with this kind of relationship where factories are being set up in Africa where communication systems are being set up in Africa in collaboration with the People’s Republic of China under the leadership of President Xi Jinping we are seeing a new reality,” he said.
The ongoing expo is not only a showcase of innovation and economic potential but also a reflection of the deepening strategic partnership between Africa and China a partnership grounded in shared aspirations for sustainable development and inclusive modernisation.
