The 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held from September 4 to 6 No matter how the international landscape changes, China and Africa will always be the same travelers and good partners on the road to modernization. The African continent is full of development opportunities and vitality. This year marks the 60th anniversary of China-Tanzania diplomatic relations. Zanzibar in eastern Tanzania is the first stop of our trip.

"We have so many Chinese people here now that we would love to be able to communicate with them in a language they understand." In Zanzibar, we met a group of young Chinese learners

This turquoise island of dreams

In the past, it was rarely known by Chinese people because of its inconvenient transportation. Now, with the increase of flight density, it has become a popular island tour destination on Chinese social media

Lis, a Chinese tour guide who has lived on the island for 18 years, is impressed by the growing number of Chinese tour groups. They especially like the seafood here. "Guests always tell me that the fish here is delicious!"

In 2012, as a representative of Chinese teachers, Li Ya Ya from Guizhou was sent by the government to Zanzibar National University to teach Chinese. She was deeply attracted by the beautiful islands and warm people

The project ended in 2016

After returning to China for a short time, Li Ya Ya returned to Africa and became a volunteer of Chinese education. "I hope to give local children more opportunities to choose life through education and also pass friendship to Africa through Chinese"

Her years of volunteer work have been appreciated and supported by the local government. Today, she has taught more than 1,000 local students, many of whom have found employment by learning Chinese and some of whom have gone to China for further study

In March 2023, the Ministry of Education of Zanzibar, Tanzania decided to incorporate Chinese courses into the national education system

Nigeria is the second stop on our tour. Lagos, the largest city in Africa's most populous country, was once known as the "City of congestion."

With the first phase of the Lagos Light Rail Blue Line project undertaken by Chinese enterprises officially put into commercial operation, the traffic situation along the line has been significantly improved

Isabella Adams Lagos LRT Blue Line Project EMU train driver Leader The first female LRT train driver in West Africa

Speaking of her work, she is always full of pride and confidence. "Around 5pm is the best time to take the light rail because you can capture the beautiful scenery at this time."

Driving trains to transport passengers not only facilitates more People's Daily travel, but also is full of love and hope. As the Chinese staff of the light rail said, "We are looking forward to it.

This project can leave a spark in Nigeria."

Similar stories abound across the continent

18 years ago by the Lecki deep water port, the largest in West Africa

Leki Free Trade Zone was established

A large number of Chinese enterprises come here to settle down not only bring technology, equipment, but also bring advanced ideas and vision and confidence for a better future

"Every morning I wake up and I think I'm a part of the Port Leckie project and I'm very, very happy." "My career goal is to be a manager and I'm getting there, but then I want to be a big boss."

We can always hear such lofty words in our visits to the local port and the vibrant free trade zone both welcome the giant ships full of cargo

And realize every dream of a better life

China, the largest developing country in the world

Africa, the continent with the largest concentration of developing countries, China and Africa account for one third of the world's population. Without the modernization of China and Africa, there can be no modernization of the world

At the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2024, China announced that it would elevate bilateral relations with all African countries having diplomatic relations to the level of strategic relations. The overall positioning of China-Africa relations will be upgraded to a new era. The dream of China-Africa common modernization will surely set off a wave of modernization in the global South and write a new chapter in building a community with a shared future for mankind

Standing at a new starting point, China and Africa will always walk hand in hand

(Source: People's Daily wechat)