Economic relations between Africa and China span centuries albeit with fluctuating intensity. But as integration of both China and African states in the international community during the last century deepened, their economic ties were more firmly cemented. Today, China is Africa’s largest trading partner. In 2022, Africa-China trade amounted to $282 billion. With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) formally established in 2021, opportunities for engagement and acceleration of economic relations with China also increased. Furthermore, in December 2020 the African Union signed a cooperation plan with China, linking the latter’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with its Agenda 2063 for development.
In June of 2019, the city of Changsha in China’s Hunan Province made history when it convened the first China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE). With the myriad opportunities for enhancing trade offered through the AfCFTA and BRI, the CAETE is a vital platform for connecting international organisations, financial institutions, business actors and other key stakeholders all interested in deepening Africa-China economic relations and mutual development. Convened this year from 29 June – 2 July under the theme ‘Common development for a shared future’, the third CAETE was well supported by African states, business consortiums, international organisations, and financial institutions.
The aim of this event is to bring together experts on Africa-China relations to not only discuss the outcome of the third CAETE, but to also engage on emerging trends in the Africa-China trade relationship, the emerging centrality of Hunan Province in this relationship, opportunities for strengthening trade under the AfCFTA, while also assessing what conclusions about the future of Africa-China trade could be made from the various sub-themes covered at the third CAETE.
Speakers:
- Dr Lauren Johnston, SAIIA
- Ambassador Gert Grobler, DIRCO
- Professor Jean-Claude Maswana, Ritsumeikan University – Japan
- Dr Yike Fu, Development Reimagined
Moderator:
- Cobus van Staden, SAIIA
For in-person attendance, please send an enquiry to Laura Rubidge on laura.rubidge@saiia.org.za.
We look forward to your attendance and participation.