In Kenya's Nzoia River basin, bamboo is proving to be a game-changer in flood control and ecosystem restoration. Through a China-Kenya collaboration, local communities are learning to use bamboo's deep roots to prevent soil erosion and slow floodwaters, enhancing climate resilience and food security. The transferring of crucial bamboo technology and skills is also improving local livelihoods. Two experts directly involved in the initiative walk us through this innovative project.
The upcoming G20 Leaders' Summit on November 18-19 in Rio de Janeiro promises to be a landmark event, with all 19 member countries, the African Union, and the European Union in attendance. For the first time, the African Union joins as a permanent member, marking a historic step toward amplifying Africa’s role in global governance. Ahead of the summit, we explore potential priorities for China, the significance of the AU’s inclusion, and how China and Africa might leverage the G20 platform to collaborate on global economic, social, and environmental issues.
This year’s China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world’s first national-level expo dedicated solely to imports, is back in Shanghai from November 5-10. Burundi is participating in the country exhibition for the first time. Alfred Burimaso, First Counsellor at the Embassy of Burundi in China highlights how Burundi is seizing the moment to showcase unique products, from high-quality coffee to artisanal crafts. He discusses the impact of China’s zero-tariff policy for least-developed countries, the advantages of CIIE’s vast marketplace, and how Burundi strengthens economic ties with China and the world.
Which coffees have captured your taste buds so far? Maybe it's the smooth Geisha from Panama? The exotic Kopi Luwak from Indonesia or the renowned Blue Mountain Coffee from Jamaica? Let's narrow the choice a little. What about African coffees? Perhaps you are a fan of Ethiopian Yirgacheffe or Kenya AA? Andrew Gatera is a passionate advocate for the coffee from his country, Rwanda, known as the country of a thousand hills. Gatera sets his sights on expanding Rwanda coffee's reach in the Chinese market via the China International Import Expo or CIIE. He shares his experiences at CIIE and his goals to introduce Rwandan coffee to the world.
The phrase "all-weather friend," first coined by Zambia's founding father Kenneth Kaunda to describe China, has become a defining term for the solid friendship between China and Zambia, and more broadly, between China and Africa. This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Zambia. As both nations move forward, the revitalization of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway is set to deepen their bond.
South Africa's choral music resonates at China's 600-year-old Temple of Heaven. Making its debut at the 2024 Beijing Music Festival, Cape Town Opera captivated Chinese audiences with rich harmonies and vibrant expressions of South African music and culture.
The 16th BRICS Summit, taking place under Russia’s chairmanship in Kazan from October 22–24, marks a historic moment with the inclusion of five new members: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Ethiopia. Notably, African countries now represent one-third of the bloc's membership, strengthening the platform for Africa's voices on the global stage. As Egypt and Ethiopia join South Africa in the BRICS, the summit offers an important opportunity for the continent to advocate for its economic development, global governance reform, and greater South-South cooperation.
"Small and Beautiful" projects emerge as a vital component of China-Africa cooperation. These initiatives focus on providing localized, targeted solutions to Africa's unique social and economic challenge. As they continue to gain momentum, they demonstrate the potential for China's engagement in Africa to address not only top-down, macro-level growth but also everyday needs of Africans.
China-Africa cooperation spans from monumental infrastructural projects like Nigeria's Lekki DeepSea Port and the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway to grassroots initiatives such as the promotion of Juncao technology program and the Luban Workshop. Over the next three years, 1000 additional"Small and Beautiful" projects will take root across the African continent. We speak with Liu Zhiqin and Charles Onunaiju to explore how these "Small and Beautiful" projects are positively impacting local communities.
October 1st marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The 75 years has witnessed the strengthening of relations between China and Africa. China played a crucial role in Africa's liberation movements and has been a key contributor to the continent's modernization efforts. Africa was instrumental in facilitating China's resumption of UN membership, standing with China on various international platforms. David Monyae and Liu Baocheng walk us through the political choices and shared ideals that have tied China and Africa together over these decades.
The growing cooperation between China and Africa extends beyond trade and investment, reaching into the realm of culture, including cuisines. In this episode, we meet two young men from Ghana, who are adding flavors of West Africa to Beijing's diverse culinary scene.
The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) marks a pivotal moment in China-Africa relations, with the relationship now viewed as the strongest in history. But why is this the case? In this episode, we’ll break down the key takeaways from the summit and explore how this deepened partnership is shaping the future of China-Africa cooperation.
China and South Africa have elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership for the new era, marking a significant milestone in their deepening ties and paving the way for new avenues of cooperation. In an exclusive address, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasizes the mutual trust and collaboration that form the cornerstone of their relationship, driving robust bilateral trade and investment and strengthening their partnership on the global stage.
At the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, China and Botswana announced the establishment of a strategic partnership. This milestone comes as the two nations will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year. In an exclusive interview with China Africa Talk, Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi reflects on the evolution of the Botswana-China relationship, describing the past five decades as a period of strong and impactful friendship.
The Science and Technology Backyard is an education program where African students learn from China’s agricultural practices to enhance farming in Africa. We recently visited a farm in northern China, where Ibrahim Naziru from Nigeria, is working. As he prepares to enter his second year with the program,Ibrahim will begin applying these Chinese farming techniques on his home land and assess their effectiveness on African soil.
In an exclusive interview with China Africa Talk on the sidelines of the FOCAC Summit in Beijing, SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi called China “a true partner” that delivers quality projects instead of just talking. As China and the Southern Africa region both uphold inclusivity and common development, Magosi believes the two sides have large room for cooperation in the future.
During an exclusive interview with China Africa Talk, Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar said that the West African community treasures China’s support, and is committed to strengthening South-South cooperation with China to address global challenges.
How do Africans perceive their culture when it's presented in a different way? What does a South African think of the cultures on the African continent when they are mixed with Chinese styles and traditions? We chat with Wendyl Martin who went on a journey of rediscovery in Beijing in search of African art, music and food, and find out about the similarities, differences and exchanges.
Walter Musanhu, a former Zimbabwean youth international footballer, is now making waves as a coach in Beijing, training young talents. What sets him apart in the eyes of Chinese parents and children? What unique "African flair" is he bringing to the pitch? We caught-up with him during a training session on his "home ground" to learn about the growth and success of his football academy and how it's fostering football skills and cultural exchanges at the grassroots level, both in China and abroad.
Do you trust traditional Chinese medicine when it's practiced by an African doctor? For many Chinese patients, the answer is a resounding yes. Diarra Boubacar from Mali became the first non-Chinese student to earn a doctorate in TCM. He has been practicing TCM in China for 40 years, often volunteering services in remote villages where he has trained over 3,000 local doctors. He is now working on setting up a TCM hospital in his home country, introducing his fellow Malians to this ancient practice. We follow Dr. Boubacar on one of his trips in western China and explore his journey as a foreign TCM practitioner and his efforts to bridge cultural gaps.