China's Zhejiang: A crucial partner in South Sudan, Africa

On the eve of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit traveled to eastern China to reinforce economic and political ties with Zhejiang Province.

Yi Lianhong, secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Zhejiang Provincial Committee, praised the long-standing friendship between China and South Sudan as he welcomed President Kiir to Zhejiang on September 2. He said the visit exemplified a strong commitment to deepening cooperation.

Kiir highlighted South Sudan's rich natural resources and investment opportunities. He stressed that the visit provided an invaluable opportunity to explore China's modernization efforts and strengthen collaboration in agriculture, mining, trade, transport and tourism. He also underscored South Sudan's eagerness to build on these opportunities to deepen ties and improve livelihoods.

Yi added that Kiir's participation in the FOCAC summit and his visit to Zhejiang were pivotal in enhancing friendly exchanges and deepening pragmatic cooperation. 

The Chinese official underscored Zhejiang's impressive transformation over the past two decades, largely driven by the "Double-Eight Strategy." The development blueprint, drawn up by Chinese President Xi Jinping, identifies eight strengths Zhejiang possesses in economic structure, geological location, industries, coordinated urban-rural development, ecology, mountain and ocean resources, environment and culture, as well as eight measures the province is taking to exploit these strengths. 

Zhejiang is ready to enhance ties with South Sudan in areas such as trade, education and cultural exchanges within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework, Yi added.

Kiir also presided over the launch of the inaugural South Sudan-Zhejiang Economic, Investment and Trade (EIT) Forum, which marks a new chapter in economic cooperation.

"South Sudan offers immense opportunities in sectors such as mining, agriculture, fisheries, trade, tourism and transportation," said Lily Adhieu Martin, the president's press secretary, quoting Kiir's remarks. He also highlighted the importance of academic scholarships and local cadre training to foster deeper people-to-people exchanges.

The South Sudanese president was accompanied by Finance Minister Dr Marial Dongrin and other senior officials, underscoring the South Sudanese government's focus on fostering economic partnerships with Zhejiang.

At a press briefing on the sidelines of the 2024 FOCAC summit, Chen Jiangfeng deputy director of Zhejiang's Foreign Affairs Office, highlighted the province's achievements in its partnerships with African nations. Zhejiang has established 31 sister-city relationships with African countries, with the combined 2023 trade volume reaching $53.9 billion.

"Zhejiang's economy is powered by its private sector, and private enterprises are the driving force behind the province's investment in Africa," said Zhu Jun, chief economist at Zhejiang's Department of Commerce. In 2023, Zhejiang's private sector accounted for nearly 90 percent of the province's exports to Africa, amounting to $277.25 billion. Zhu also highlighted the establishment of platforms such as the China-Benin Economic and Trade Development Center and the China-Tanzania Industrial Park to boost international capacity cooperation.

Zhejiang's engagement with Africa goes beyond economic ties. Currently, more than 6,500 African students are studying in Zhejiang universities, while vocational training programs have benefitted over 2,800 people from 160 African companies. Moreover, 120,000 African students have been trained through Confucius Institutes across the continent. The province will host the 2024 China-Africa Trade and Cultural Forum this November, further solidifying its role in fostering China-Africa cooperation.