The First China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum were held in Changsha from June 27 to 29. Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory letter to the opening of the expo and Vice Premier HU Chunhua has delivered a speech on the opening ceremony. CREC President ZHANG Zongyan and Vice President REN Hongpeng have attended the Expo and related activities, with numerous achievements in hand. 

With the theme of “Win-Win Cooperation for Closer China-Africa Economic and Trade Partnership”, the expo focuses on trade and investment promotion, agriculture and industrial park development, infrastructure and financing cooperation. The expo attracted representatives from 53 African countries and international organizations including UNIDO, WFP, WTO, AU and many financial institutions and enterprises.  

There are 8 pavilions in the expo. CREC and other 11 central enterprises have taken part in the exhibition to showcase their achievements on China-Africa cooperation. The exhibition area of CREC is an open curved structure with a sense of speed, symbolizing the open, innovative and vibrant image of the Company. Through comprehensive application of panels, dynamic stand table, TBM Model and video show, CREC has given a full demonstration to its cooperation philosophy with African countries, namely “ helping to build a interconnected Africa through infrastructure development”, “investing in Africa to promote introverted development”, “taking social responsibility for sustainable development of Africa”, “focusing on projects that will improve people’s livelihood”, and “training local people to build a common destiny for mankind”.

On June 27 afternoon, ZHANG and REN attended the Dialogue of China-Africa Infrastructure and Financing Cooperation held by CHINCA. REN delivered a speech on how to create new models of investment and financing, especially through one-stop service of investment, construction and operation to promote infrastructure cooperation. The Dialogue also witnessed the signing of China-Africa cooperation projects, including the Agreement for the Middle and Southern 132KV Transmission Lines Project in Lesotho (by CREC subsidiary-China Railway International Group) and Contract of Akwa Ibom State International Airport Expansion Project in Nigeria (by CREC subsidiary-China Railway Beijing Engineering Group). Moreover, during the Seminar of China-Africa Agriculture Cooperation and Development, China Railway International Group signed MOU of China-Zimbabwe GWEBI Modern Agriculture Park Development Project with the Ministry of Agriculture of Zimbabwe.

During the Expo, President ZHANG and Vice President REN held talks with several foreign dignities attending the expo and reached broad consensus on strengthening cooperation.