The "Belt and Road" China (Shandong)-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference was held on May 13 in Liaocheng via both online and offline channels.

Forty-seven representatives from business and commercial associations, and enterprises and government departments from 13 African countries, including Rwanda, Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and Madagascar, discussed cooperation opportunities with their counterparts from Shandong, as part of efforts to open a new chapter of cooperation and development under the Belt and Road Initiative.

The "Belt and Road" China (Shandong)-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference is held on May 13. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Eight key cooperation projects with Africa were signed during the event, covering friendship business association cooperation, animal husbandry, gold mine development, auto parts cooperation and overseas warehouse cooperation.

Dr. Cheng Cheng, the Chinese project director of an alliance for a green revolution in Africa, presented the current situation and outlook of China-Africa agricultural cooperation during the conference.

In addition, the Shenxian County Industrial Park in Liaocheng was promoted at the conference, followed by the experience sharing event on economic and trade cooperation by Zhongtong Bus Holding and Shandong Wuzheng Group.

Eight key cooperation projects are signed during the conference to boost Shandong-Africa ties. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Shandong enterprises also had direct exchanges with trade associations and enterprises from African countries.

In recent years, Liaocheng has maintained close economic and trade exchanges with African countries and carried out extensive and in-depth cooperation in the fields of trade, investment and industrial cooperation.

In 2021, Liaocheng's trade with Africa totaled 5.84 billion yuan ($859.6 million), accounting for 11 percent of the city's total. Liaocheng's total investment in Africa has reached $59.96 million.

High-quality Liaocheng export products are exhibited on the sidelines at the conference. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]