On July 9^th, the 5^th Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation was held in Guangzhou, Guangdong. This marked the first time since its establishment in 2012 that the forum was hosted outside of Beijing. Why was Guangdong chosen, and what are the connections between Guangdong and Africa?

First, let's consider the background of the forum. The Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation was initiated by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries in 2012. It convenes once every three years and is a significant mechanism under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

It was found that the previous four forums were all held in Beijing. The first forum themed "Promoting Local Cooperation and Enhancing Common Development" took place from August 27^th to 28^th, 2012. The second forum convened from November 10th to 11^th, 2015, focusing on "Enhancing Local Capacity Building, Promoting China-Africa Industrial Cooperation, and Achieving Inclusive Development for Provinces and Cities." The third forum occurred on May 7^th-8^th, 2018, centered around "Poverty Alleviation and Sustainable Development." The fourth main forum, themed "Building a China-Africa Community with a Shared Future - Local Governments of China and Africa Work Together for Common Development" was held online on November 16th, 2021 in Beijing. 

This year, the Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation departed from Beijing for the first time and chose Guangdong as its venue. This decision is closely linked to Guangdong's role as a pioneer, vanguard, and experimental zone in China's reform and opening-up policies.

As China's southern gateway, Guangdong has been a crucial window for international exchanges and openness for centuries. Its provincial capital, Guangzhou, holds the distinction of being the only port in China that has remained open to foreign trade for over two millennia.

Guangdong has consistently maintained a leading position in China's levels of openness to the outside world. In 2023, its foreign trade reached a historic high with a total import and export value of 8.3 trillion yuan, constituting one-fifth of the national total. This marked the 38th consecutive year that Guangdong led the country in terms of total trade volume.

Guangdong's openness to the outside world is not only reflected in its trade figures but also in its significant role as an international exchange platform. In recent years, Guangdong has hosted several major international conferences such as the Understanding China Conference, Imperial Springs International Forum, and the Global Mayors' Forum. These events have positioned Guangdong as a crucial platform for showcasing China's development achievements and promoting China's voice to the world.

From the perspective of cooperation with African countries, in recent years, Guangdong has actively engaged in frequent exchanges and cooperation with Africa, upholding the spirit of China-Africa-friendly cooperation.

In terms of trade, bilateral import and export trade between Guangdong and African countries has surged fifteen-fold over the past decade. In 2023, Guangdong's total import and export trade with Africa exceeded 270 billion yuan, marking a 3.9% increase and accounting for 13.7% of China-Africa trade.

In the field of healthcare, since sending its first medical support team abroad in 1971, Guangdong has consistently dispatched medical teams and expert groups to support the treatment of common diseases and healthcare system construction in numerous African countries. The Guangdong Artemisinin Anti-Malaria Team, through its extensive research and practical efforts in malaria prevention and treatment, has provided Africa with the Chinese solution of "elimination of malaria by source eradication".

In terms of cultural exchange, as of 2023, Guangdong has established sister city relationships with 12 cities across Africa, spanning eight different countries. Several universities in Guangdong have also collaborated with African countries to establish Confucius Institutes.

The exchange and cooperation between Guangdong and Africa serve as a vivid example of building a China-Africa community with a shared future. Through ongoing efforts from various parties, the construction of the China-Africa community with a shared future is deepening and becoming more substantial, continually benefiting the people of both regions.

As stated by former Permanent Representative of Senegal to the United Nations, Oumar Demba Ba, at the 5^th Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation, "Over the years, I have witnessed the friendly exchanges and increasingly closer relations between China and Africa. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation has grown from 44 members when it was established in 2000 to 53 members today. This significant increase vividly reflects the vitality and broad prospects of China-Africa relations. I would like to point out that the cooperation between China and Africa is dynamic and has achieved substantial development."

Source :Yangcheng Evening News

中非地方政府合作论坛首次到北京以外城市举办，为何选择广东？

7月9日，第五届中非地方政府合作论坛在广东广州举办，这是自2012年该论坛创办以来，首次在北京以外的城市举行。为什么选择广东？广东与非洲又有哪些交往故事？

首先来看论坛背景。中非地方政府合作论坛由中国人民对外友好协会于2012年发起创办，每三年举办一届，是中非合作论坛框架下的重要机制性活动。

记者梳理发现，此前四届论坛均在北京举办。2012年8月27日至28日，首届论坛以“推动地方合作、促进共同发展”为主题召开；2015年11月10日至11日，第二届论坛聚焦“加强地方能力建设、推动中非产业对接、实现省市包容发展”主题；2018年5月7日至8日，第三届论坛以“摆脱贫困与可持续发展”为主题；而第四届主论坛则在2021年11月16日，围绕“共建中非命运共同体——中非地方政府团结合作、共谋发展”主题，以线上形式在北京举行。

今年，中非地方政府合作论坛首次离开北京，来到广东，与广东作为改革开放的排头兵、先行地、实验区不无关系。

作为中国的“南大门”，千百年来广东一直是中国对外开放交流的重要窗口，其省会城市广州更是中国2000多年来唯一没有关闭过的对外通商口岸。

广东的对外开放水平长期保持在全国前列。2023年，广东外贸规模再创历史新高，外贸进出口总值8.3万亿元，占全国的1/5，总量连续38年居全国首位。

广东的对外开放不仅体现在贸易数据上，更在于其作为国际交流平台的重要地位。近年来，广东举办了“读懂中国”国际会议、从都国际论坛、全球市长论坛等多个重大国际会议，成为向世界展示中国发展成就、传播中国声音的重要平台。

从与非洲国家的合作来看，近年来，秉持中非友好合作精神，广东与非洲的交流合作频繁。

在贸易方面，广东与非洲国家的双边进出口贸易总额十余年来已跃升15倍。2023年广东对非洲进出口总额超过2700亿元，增长3.9%，占中非贸易的13.7%。

在医疗领域，广东从1971年派遣第一支援外医疗队至今，持续派出医疗队和专家组，支持广大非洲国家常见疾病的治疗和医疗卫生体系建设。广东青蒿抗疟团队更是凭借其在疟疾防治领域的深入研究和实践，向非洲提供“灭源抗疟”中国方案。

在人文交流上，截至2023年，广东缔结非洲友城12个，覆盖8个国家；多所广东高校与非洲相关国家合作创办孔子学院。

广东与非洲的交流合作是构建中非命运共同体的一个生动案例。在多方不断努力下，中非命运共同体建设不断走深走实，持续造福中非民众。

正如塞内加尔前常驻联合国代表邓巴·巴在第五届中非地方政府合作论坛上所言：“多年来我见证了中非之间的友好往来以及愈加紧密的关系。中非合作论坛从2000年成立时的44个成员壮大到如今53个成员，这一数字上的显著增长，生动映照出中非关系的蓬勃生机与广阔前景。我想在此指出，中非双方的合作富有活力，一直取得长足发展。”

文、图｜记者 李焕坤 谭铮
译｜林佳岱