On September 25, a ceremony was held in Changsha to release China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation: Case Studies and Plans, and China-Africa Trade and Economic Relationship Annual Report 2021. The China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Research Institute (CAETCRI) was officially founded simultaneously with its nameplate being unveiled.

The unveiling ceremony of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Research Institute is held in Changsha.

CAETCRI, initiated by the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, is established to thoroughly implement the eight major initiatives that President Xi Jinping put forward at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). It is based on two national platforms – the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo and the China-Africa In-depth Economic and Trade Cooperation Pilot Zone, and aims toprovide intellectual support to building a long-term mechanism for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation and exchanges.

Guided by the Hunan Department of Commerce, the institute is led by HNU, and co-constructed by Central South University, Xiangtan University, and Hunan Agricultural University. It will support decision-making concerning the building of a new highland of China-Africa regional cooperation; conduct research on the key theoretical and practical problems from fundamental, overall, and long-term perspectives; cultivate comprehensive personnel for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation; and, provide consultation service for China-Africa economic and trade enterprises.

The founding of the institute is in the light of the requirement for the high-end think tank to promote high-quality development of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, and contribute to reinforcing China-Africa economic and trade contacts, and building the China-Africa community with a shared future.

The unveiling ceremony.

The ceremony was hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and the Hunan Provincial People’s Government, and undertaken by the Chinse Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation (CAITEC) of the Ministry of Commerce, the Hunan Department of Commerce, and HNU. A number of leaders were present at the ceremony, including He Baoxiang, vice governor of Hunan Province; He Song, deputy director of the Western Asia and Africa Affairs Department of the Ministry of Commerce; Chen Xianchun, deputy secretary general of the Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Sheng Qiuping, director of the Zhejiang Department of Commerce; Qu Weixi, CAITEC deputy director; Xu Xiangping, counsellor of the Hunan Provincial People’s Government and chairperson of CAETCRI; Deng Wei, secretary of the CPC HNU Committee; Chen Hong, secretary of the CPC Hunan Agricultural University Committee; Li Xinqiu, deputy director of the Hunan Department of Commerce; Guo Ning, director of the Administration of Customs of the Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Zhu Xuehong, vice president of Central South University; Liao Yong’an, deputy secretary of the CPC Xiangtan University Committee; Xie Chi, vice president of HNU; Tang Jin, secretary of the CPC Committee of Hunan International Business Vocational College; Long Yin, secretary of the CPC Hunan Modern Logistics College Committee; and, Shu Bin, president of the Hunan Rednet New Media Group.

Secretary Deng Wei attends the ceremony.

Vice President Xie Chi receives an interview.

CAETCRI gathers strengths of enterprises, higher educational institutions, governments, and research institutions to construct a platform of intelligence, talent cultivation, and professional consultation for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. A series of academic events have been organized, such as the first Yuelu Forum on China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation and the salon in the China-Africa Economic and Trade In-depth Cooperation Pilot Zone. Related foundation database, case library, and African law database have been established, based on surveys on main countries, fields, and products of Africa. It has formed a mechanism of cooperation and exchange with African universities and think tanks, and collaborated and communicated with well-known Africa-related think tanks in China.