Dear Minister of Planning and Investment of the Office of the President of Tanzania, Mr. Mkunbo. Respected leaders, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, and friends, good afternoon!

We are afraid of Africa when we are not in Africa, love Africa when we are in Africa, and think about Africa when we leave Africa. Today, we gather at the beautiful Dar es Salaam International Conference Center in Tanzania, together with 13 department leaders from Tanzania, as well as government officials, business association representatives and entrepreneurs from all walks of life in China and Africa, to share the successful practices of China and Tanzania in the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road" and the fruitful results of China Africa economic and trade cooperation; Exploring cultural tourism education cooperation; Deepen cooperation in infrastructure construction, new energy, mining development, modern agriculture, medical technology, financial securities, manufacturing, and other areas; Promote mature investment projects in small and medium-sized factories; Promote products that meet the needs of the African market; Signing a batch of economic and trade investment cooperation projects to support the economic development of African countries

On behalf of the China Africa Economic and Trade Investment Promotion Association, I would like to extend a warm welcome and heartfelt gratitude to all the guests! Sincere thanks to friends from all walks of life who have been caring and supporting the work of the China Africa Council for the Promotion of International Trade for many years!

The friendship between China and Africa has a long history. China and Tanzania established diplomatic relations on April 26, 1964, and this year marks the 60th anniversary. In the 1960s and 1970s, tens of thousands of Chinese experts and railway workers came to Africa to work together with the people of Tanzania and Zambia to build the Tanzania Zambia Railway, which connects eastern and central southern Africa, becoming a symbol of China Africa cooperation.   After the 20th National Congress of China, President Hassan was the first foreign head of state to visit China. These "firsts" between China and Tanzania symbolize the friendship between our two countries over the years, which is of great significance.

China is Tanzania's first source of investment and its largest trading partner. In 2018, Tanzania joined the "the Belt and Road" initiative, and the trade volume between the two countries has increased by 20% since 2018. It hopes to further expand our economic cooperation by using the "the Belt and Road" initiative. There is still much room for future cooperation between China and Tanzania. The construction of Tanzania's free trade zone and industrial park is gradually advancing, which will bring huge opportunities for Chinese enterprises to invest. From the "Ten Major Cooperation Plans", "Eight Major Actions" to the "Nine Projects", each item has quantitative indicators, and each item has an implementation ledger. Each item is a vivid reflection of China's "true, sincere" concept and correct values of righteousness and benefit.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends!

China has maintained its position as Africa's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. In 2023, the trade volume between China and Africa reached a historical peak of $282.1 billion, a year-on-year increase of 1.5%. Economic and trade cooperation is the "ballast" and "propeller" of China Africa relations. Under the promotion of practical measures in previous sessions of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, China Africa economic and trade cooperation has always maintained strong vitality, and China Africa economic and trade cooperation has achieved fruitful results.

The scale of China Africa trade has repeatedly reached new highs, and the structure is continuously optimized. Non imported agricultural products have become a highlight of growth. In 2023, China's imports of nuts, vegetables, flowers, and fruits from non China increased by 130%, 32%, 14%, and 7% year-on-year, respectively. Mechanical and electrical products have become the "main force" in exports to Africa, and the "new three types" of products have achieved rapid growth in exports to Africa. Exports of new energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products have increased by 291%, 109%, and 57% year-on-year, strongly supporting the transformation of green energy in Africa.

China Africa investment cooperation is steadily growing. China is the developing country with the largest investment scale in Africa. As of the end of 2022, China's direct investment stock in Africa exceeded 40 billion US dollars. In 2023, China's non direct investment still maintains a growth trend. The industrial agglomeration effect of parks such as China Egypt Teda Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, Hisense South Africa Industrial Park, and Nigeria Leki Free Trade Zone continues to emerge, attracting a group of Chinese enterprises to invest and develop in Africa. The projects cover multiple fields such as building materials, automobiles, household appliances, and agricultural product processing.

The cooperation in infrastructure construction between China and Africa has achieved significant results. Africa is China's second largest overseas contracting market, with Chinese companies signing over 700 billion US dollars in contracted projects and completing over 400 billion US dollars in revenue. They have implemented a number of iconic projects and "small yet beautiful" projects in areas such as transportation, energy, electricity, housing, and people's livelihoods. The completion of iconic projects such as the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Lower Kaifu Gorge Hydropower Station in Zambia, and the Fangjuni Bridge in Senegal has effectively driven the local economic and social development.

The momentum of cooperation in emerging fields between China and Africa has accumulated. The cooperation in emerging fields such as digital economy, green and low-carbon, aerospace, and financial services is constantly expanding, injecting new vitality into China Africa economic and trade cooperation. China and Africa have joined hands to expand cooperation in the "Silk Road E-commerce" initiative, successfully hosting the African Good Things Online Shopping Festival, implementing the "One Hundred Stores, One Thousand Products, One Platform" initiative in Africa, and driving Chinese enterprises to actively support the development of African e-commerce, mobile payment, media and entertainment industries. China has signed civil aviation transportation agreements with 27 African countries and has successfully built and launched meteorological communication satellites for countries such as Algeria and Nigeria.

Not long ago, the overall plan for the construction of the China Africa Economic and Trade Deep Cooperation Pilot Zone was officially issued with the approval of the State Council, actively supporting Hunan Province in building the China Africa Economic and Trade Deep Cooperation Pilot Zone, becoming another major event in the development process of China Africa economic and trade cooperation. We will focus on building benchmark demonstrations in areas such as investment and trade, production capacity cooperation, digital economy, international logistics, and cultural and tourism exchanges between China and Africa, and improve long-term mechanisms for economic and trade cooperation and exchanges with Africa.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends!

Our China Africa Economic and Trade Investment Promotion Association was registered and established in Hong Kong in 2010. It is a non-governmental international economic organization dedicated to promoting mutual exchanges between China and Africa, enhancing friendship between the Chinese and African people, promoting economic and trade investment cooperation between China and Africa, and expanding bilateral import and export trade. I will launch and distribute China Africa Economic and Trade Newspapers, establish a China Africa Economic and Trade Network, and hold more than 50 China Africa Economic and Trade Investment and Financing Briefings, Shandong Dongying Petroleum Equipment Expo, Shandong Linyi Market Trade Expo, China Western International Expo, China (Tianjin) International Financing Fair, Shenzhen China Africa Trade and Investment Fair, and other activities. These activities have received high praise from African ambassadors to China.

In order to build a bridge for economic and trade cooperation between China and Africa, we will pragmatically carry out investment in Africa. We have invested in the construction of the China Africa International Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone in Zaozhuang, Shandong, which will set up exhibition halls and provide free services for 50 African countries. Currently, 17 African countries have signed occupancy agreements.

In order to solve the problem of electricity shortage in African countries, after two years of preparation, we have launched the "African Home Lighting Project" which will solve the electricity problem of 10 million households in Africa. Through the "African Home Lighting" project, we will change the living environment of African people, improve living conditions, and provide employment opportunities for local people. This cross-border e-commerce project of Internet plus+foreign trade, "African Family Brightness", is a great project benefiting, benefiting and loving people.

This year, we have invested in Tanzania and are applying for an international securities exchange to implement the construction of Huafei New Energy Industrial Park. With Huafei New Energy electric vehicles and photovoltaic power generation projects as the main line, we are sincerely recruiting upstream and downstream industrial chains, strengthening and expanding the new energy industry, and cultivating a group of listed companies.

Over the years, I have often led entrepreneurs to visit Africa for research, and everywhere we can see the thriving and flourishing development of the African continent. Today's Africa is a continent full of hope, and the transformation and upgrading of China Africa cooperation is timely. China has a need for industrial transfer, and Africa, which has entered industrialization, also has a high degree of industrial transfer acceptance. We need to take action, showcase our skills, and work together to promote China Africa cooperation. We, the China Africa Council for the Promotion of International Trade, are willing to assist entrepreneurs in conducting trade, investing and developing in Africa, and working together with African friends for mutual benefit and win-win results.

Finally, I wish all guests and friends good health, smooth work, prosperous careers, and happy families. Wishing the 7th China Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Development Forum and China Tanzania Economic and Trade Fair a complete success. May the friendship between China and Africa last forever!

Thank you, everyone!