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During the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, three compelling stories highlighted the growing strength of China-Africa economic ties.
An exhibitor (R) introduces African products to visitors during the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo at Changsha International Convention and Exhibition Center in Changsha, Central China's Hunan Province, June 13, 2025. (Photo/Xinhua)
Favorable visa policy helps man from Benin build a career in China
During the 4th CAETE, 26-year-old Jolly from Benin enthusiastically introduced African agricultural products to visitors in fluent Chinese. "I want to create a brand for African farm goods with me as its face," he said.
Jolly came to Changsha five years ago after a chat with his Chinese teacher revealed Hunan's key role in China-Africa trade. At that time a major roadblock existed for foreign graduates, as China required two years of work experience to qualify for a work visa. That changed in 2023, when Hunan launched a special visa to help international students start businesses in the province.
After earning his degree in International Economics and Trade from Central South University in 2024, Jolly received the first "entrepreneurship visa" issued by the China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone's Changsha area. He set up his company at a local startup hub and began exporting products made in Hunan like farm equipment and tools to Africa. His company is now working on deals worth $300,000.
At the 4th Changsha International Construction Equipment Exhibition in May, Jolly noticed strong interest in small farm machines from Beninese clients. He quickly headed to Shuangfeng county in Loudi, a hub for agricultural machinery, where he tested a rotary tiller in muddy rice fields with help from local farmers—filming the entire process to share with buyers.
Simple to use and affordable, these machines are exactly what African farmers need, he said.
Since Dec. 1, 2023, China has given all least developed countries having diplomatic relations with China, including 33 countries in Africa, zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines. The country recently announced to extend the zero-tariff treatment to cover 100 percent of tariff lines for all 53 African countries that have diplomatic ties with China.
With easier access to the Chinese market, Jolly plans to bring high-quality Beninese products like cashews and cotton to China. His bigger ambition is to build an Africa-based youth startup hub, and help Chinese entrepreneurs explore African markets.
Anchovy from Kenya reflects vitality of China-Africa economic, trade cooperation
As part of the 4th CAETE, a food market attracted numerous visitors. Anchovy from Kenya became a favorite snack there. Sold for less than 1 yuan (about $0.14) a bag, the anchovy snacks are part of a full-fledged, cross-continental supply chain.
According to Zhou Jinsong, chairman of Jinzai Food Group Co., Ltd., anchovy snacks are the best-selling products of the company, which imports tens of thousands of tonnes of dried anchovies each year.
Kenya has strong fishing potential but lacked proper processing facilities.
"When I first arrived, local fishers were casting nets by hand from small boats—risky work with little return," Zhou recalled. In 2018, his company invested 50 million yuan in a seafood pre-processing plant in Kenya, training local workers and setting up a quality control team.
"In 2021, the site became a national training base for Kenya's fishery inspectors," Zhou said.
In June 2023, the first batch of wild deep-sea anchovies from the Kenyan base debuted at the 3rd CAETE.
"Now we have a steady supply every year, with 50 tonnes arriving in Hunan this April," said Zhou.
The story of a small fish traces the deepening and solidifying path of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. In 2024, China's total import and export value of agricultural products with Africa exceeded 70 billion yuan for the first time, according to official data.
Chinese agricultural expert brings farming methods to Madagascar
Before the opening of the 4th CAETE, Gambian farmer Musa Darboe visited the tomb of renowned agronomist Yuan Longping in Changsha, bringing rice grown from Chinese hybrid seeds to express his gratitude.
Chinese hybrid rice is now grown in over 20 African countries. In Madagascar, Chinese agricultural expert Hu Yuefang works side by side with local farmers.
In 2007, China launched a hybrid rice demonstration project in Madagascar. In 2008, Hu arrived in Madagascar. After years of effort, Hu and his team developed five hybrid rice varieties suited to local conditions, with the average yield three times that of local strains.
Hu went from village to village, teaching farmers hands-on field management. His team has provided training for more than 2,000 participants and shared techniques with tens of thousands more.
Today, hybrid rice is grown on 90,000 hectares of farmland in Madagascar. When asked why he has stayed in Africa so long, Hu said, "Hybrid rice helped feed China and I want it to help feed Africa too."
来源：湖南省政府门户网
