China and Africa have stepped up efforts to work for a green and more sustainable future, as evidenced by the rising import of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) to Africa, and the expansion of Chinese EV industry footprint in the African continent, as China-Africa ties grow increasingly stronger.
This trend of closer green cooperation was in the spotlight during the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), where green and sustainable development was a central theme.

Officials and business representatives from China and Africa at the forum emphasized the need for closer partnership focusing on ramping up the green economy. Chinese companies now hold a global competitive edge in delivering green products, while African countries are seeking the green transformation and sustainable economic growth, the officials said.

The Global Times reporters spoke with key Chinese EV industry players and experts on the sideline of the forum, to explore how Chinese businesses are helping African countries to accelerate green transformation. By enhancing cooperation, China could assist Africa to embrace a promising future for "Made in Africa."

Chinese EVs have long been popular in the African market, and this trend has become even more pronounced in recent years due to the strengthening of China-Africa political and economic partnership. 

Closer partnership

In Kigali, the capital and largest city of Rwanda, the world's largest EV maker BYD has partnered with local companies to open the first BYD EV dealership in East Africa.
Rwanda actively promotes sustainable development and plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 38 percent by 2030 and electrify 20 percent of all city buses, while BYD's new energy vehicles products are the key to help achieve the goal, the Chinese company said in a statement sent to the Global Times on Wednesday.

BYD has expanded rapidly in the African market in recent years. 

As of July 2024, BYD-produced EVs have covered nine African countries and regions including South Africa, Morocco and Tunisia, and it has set up more than 17 stores there, the company said.

In Nigeria, electric buses made by Yutong Bus Co, introduced to the country for the first time last year, have been in operation for 15 months, covering 80,000 kilometers and receiving high acclaim from local customers.

Yutong said in a statement to the Global Times on Tuesday that increasing investment in new-energy products is a crucial path to achieving sustainable development in the passenger transport sector, where demand is strong in Africa. 

"The company will actively seek development and cooperation opportunities in the new-energy sector between China and Africa," Yutong said in a statement.

In June, the first store of China's Hozon Auto in Africa was opened in Kenya, where the company's NETA V was launched. In the future, models such as the NETA X and NETA AYA will also be introduced to the vast African market. 

Over the next three years, 100 Hozon stores are planned to be established across the continent, with annual sales expected to exceed 20,000 vehicles, a manager with the Shanghai-based carmaker Hozon Auto told the Global Times.

Currently, many African countries are adopting favorable policies to support the green transition including developing infrastructure such as charging stations and working out friendly trade policies such as tariff reduction, creating favorable conditions for the adoption of EVs. For instance, the Egyptian government has implemented "zero tariffs" on EVs to boost their sales, according to media reports.

Africa's rich natural resources, favorable policy environment, and the active participation of China's leading EV companies, with their technological advantages and cost-effectiveness, make Africa poised to become a significant growth area in the global NEV market landscape, a Hozon Auto manager said.

EVs developed and produced by Chinese businesses are increasingly favored in the African market. 

Data shows that in 2023, exports of Chinese NEVs to Africa grew by 291 percent compared to the previous year, according to media reports.

The shift to green transformation is crucial for Africa. By leveraging the achievements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where green development plays a key role, the continent can embark on a path of sustainable development, Song Wei, a professor at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times.

China's EVs are well-suited for the African market due to their cost-effectiveness and tech competitiveness, Song noted.

'Made in Africa'

Chinese carmakers not only export their products to African countries but also work closely with the continent to establish local production lines as part of their efforts to promote "Made in Africa" for local communities.

In March this year, dozens of electric minibuses arrived in Ethiopia from China. These electric minibuses were exported in fully disassembled form by Xiamen Golden Dragon Bus Co, with local engineering companies responsible for assembly and market introduction.

In recent years, a number of Chinese power battery manufacturers, including Gotion High-tech, have announced investments in battery manufacturing facilities in Morocco, north Africa. 

It is of great significance for Chinese companies to invest in Africa to build battery and EV factories there. On one hand, it brings technology to Africa, and on the other hand, it creates jobs for local residents, Song said. "This is highly beneficial for Africa's green transition, industrial upgrading, and integration into the global value chain," the Chinese expert said.

The new approach, Song said, will help Africa avoid the old path of "pollute first, clean up later" and achieve leapfrog development for African countries.

Major Chinese carmakers have released their results for the first half of 2024, with exports and new-energy vehicles (NEVs) making remarkable performances despite challenges. China's NEV industry will remain healthy and grow faster, thanks to favorable national policies, strong demand and intelligence-technology integration, analysts said.

NEV giant BYD said that its first-half profit rose 24.4 percent year-on-year to 13.63 billion yuan ($1.92 billion), according to a stock exchange filing.

NEV sales reached a record high, ranking first in the world, with an increasing market share and expanding brand influence, BYD said. The company accelerated its global expansion, and the progress of localized manufacturing sped up the development of its NEV business in overseas markets.

Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group Corp said on Wednesday that its first-half net profit surged by 93.84 percent to about 301 million yuan. The company is accelerating a shift to the NEV sector, with efforts focused on passenger vehicles, according to the company's financial results.

As of Wednesday, at least 137 A-share listed companies in the auto industry had released their interim results, which showed that their combined revenue had risen 20.52 percent year-on-year, according to media reports.

Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association, attributed the sound performance of China's auto industry to a rapid electrification transformation, continuous tech innovation and strengthened after-sales services.

Empowered by China's continuously strengthening manufacturing industry, Chinese auto companies have notable advantages in the manufacturing of components, including batteries and electric machines, Cui told the Global Times on Thursday.

There is no so-called overcapacity in China's NEV sector, as it maintains a comparatively high growth rate of about 30 percent annually, Cui said.

A key reason for the expansion of China's new-energy industry is global long-term demand, analysts said, calling for examining the issue over a longer time frame.

It is unreasonable for certain Western politicians and media outlets to accuse China's new-energy sector of having "overcapacity" just by measuring current demand. Global supply and demand are market-driven factors, and Chinese automakers' efforts to develop NEVs underscore their confidence in the car industry globally, Wu Shuocheng, a veteran automobile industry analyst, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Global demand for new-energy products is on the rise. According to a study by the International Energy Agency, global NEV sales will reach 45 million units in 2030, rising to about 65 million in 2035, up from about 14 million in 2023.

The Netherlands is planning to limit ASML Holding NV's ability to repair and maintain its semiconductor equipment in China, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, noting that the move came as a result of political pressure from the US. Chinese experts said on Friday that the move, which violates market norms, will further disrupt the global semiconductor industrial and supply chain and predicted that the US pressure on its allies to join its technology crackdown campaign against China will backfire. 

The Dutch government of Prime Minister Dick Schoof will likely not renew certain ASML licenses to service and provide spare parts in China when they expire at the end of this year, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed sources. The decision is expected to cover the company's top-of-the-line deep ultraviolet lithography machines, said the source.

The Dutch government's decision comes following US pressure, including potentially imposing certain unilateral measures on partner countries if they choose not to abide with the US' controls on China, the report pointed out.

A Chinese industry expert slammed the US' reckless move to coerce its allies to target China, and warned that if the Dutch government moves ahead with the plan, bilateral ties with China will be hampered and ASML's business will be undermined.

Ma Jihua, a veteran telecom industry observer, told the Global Times on Friday that the US has almost run out of its means in its crackdown on Chinese chips sector, having already restricted chip production investment in China and banned the exports of certain chipmaking equipment.

However, market forces are not in favor of the US' pressure, and the strong demand for mature chips has driven the growth of China's semiconductor sector, helping it mitigate the impacts of US crackdowns and maintain a rapid growth momentum featuring big strides in self-reliance and increasing market share in the global semiconductor industry, Ma said.

"As such, the US is increasingly relying on pushing its allies to do the job of containing China's tech rise while its allies are being pushed to its their limits, prompting the US to activate more of its tools in coercing its allies," said Ma.

Analysts noted the move by The Hague will risk damage to ASML's business, as about half of that comes from China, and warned that Chinese engineers may be forced to learn how to service machines and hone their skills if maintenance service is suspended as reported.

"The whole world loves pandas, and no one can resist them. We were deeply moved by the sight of a panda," Denisa Petrilakova, editor of domestic and foreign news from Czech Media Agency, told the Global Times when she saw baby twin pandas - Yu Ke and Yu Ai - in Chongqing Zoo.

Petrilakova was among the foreign journalists captivated by the adorable bamboo eaters, calling them "super cute".

During the 2024 Belt and Road Journalists Forum, which kicked off in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Saturday, several foreign journalists visited a number of scenery spots of the mountainous city, and were marveled by their local charm.

China's inbound tourism has continued to heat up this summer, with more overseas tourists making China their travel and leisure destination. Boasting unique natural landscapes, more foreign tourists are choosing to take an in-depth trip to China's western provinces.

According to Qunar, a leading online travel service platform in China, in the first half of 2024, bookings by travelers using non-Chinese passports to book tickets on domestic routes increased 1.8 times year-on-year to 2023, with more than 10 percent of foreign visitors coming to China twice in six months.

Chengdu, Xi'an, Chongqing and other western cities ranked among the top 10 popular destinations for foreign travelers flying in China, Qunar said.

Thriving tourism

Today, more people are curious to explore China and experience its diverse culture. These foreign journalists were particularly struck by the stunning natural beauty of the western region, with its rolling hills, fast-flowing rivers, lush forests, and many world heritage sites.

Taking the Two-River Cruise on the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, the journalists were impressed with an unforgettable experience when taking in Chongqing's cityscape at night.
Petrilakova said that in addition to Beijing and Shanghai, she would recommend Chongqing to Czechs. "I was very touched by the night view of the mountain city, which is really special and beautiful."

"I don't want to leave this cruise ship. I'm mesmerized by the city's vibrant night scenery," Kirtan Bhana, director and editor of The Diplomatic Society, a media outlet in South Africa, told the Global Times.

Elizabeth Sade, a senior reporter from the Media Association of Solomon Islands, was struck by three massive natural stone bridges in the Fairy Mountain of Wulong district in Chongqing.

The Three Natural Bridges is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, renowned for its breathtaking karst landscape.
"The three bridges that we visited were something that I was thrilled about. Alongside, the strong connection that I saw between locals and the environment also amazes me," Sade told the Global Times, noting that she was impressed by local government's efforts to promote tourism and protect ecologic diversity.

"I love the foggy scenery in the Fairy Mountain, and it makes me feel like I'm in paradise," Melisa Skender, general secretary from Croatian Journalists' Association, told the Global Times.

"We are continuously improving the level of visitor services," He Qing, secretary of the CPC Wulong District Committee of Chongqing, told the Global Times, noting that the Fairy Mountain has set up payment facilitation services, with 139 ATMs for foreign card cash withdrawal and 91 POS machines for facilitating payments by foreign tourists.

From January to July this year, the district received a total of 94,000 foreign tourists, an increase of 221.9 percent year-on-year, He Qing said.

Since the country continuously rolled out its visa-free entry policies from last year, the number of foreign inbound tourists has kept growing.

According to the latest statistics from the National Immigration Administration (NIA), from January to July this year, the number of foreign visitor trips to China soared by 129.9 percent year-on-year to 17.25 million. During the period, 846,000 port visas were issued to foreigners who have urgent needs to enter China but do not have enough time to apply for visas at Chinese embassies or consulates abroad. The figure rose 183 percent year-on-year.

The foreign visitors are estimated to boost consumption topping 100 billion yuan ($14.07 billion) in total, with a per capita daily average consumption volume hitting nearly 3,500 yuan, according to the NIA.

A deepfake crime surge in South Korea has sparked worries in China as Chinese experts said on Sunday that AI-powered scams have turned into an international concern, and social media platform operators should take more action.

Numerous chat rooms suspected of creating and distributing deepfake pornographic material with doctored photos of ordinary women and female service members have been reportedly discovered on messaging app Telegram recently, with many of the victims and perpetrators known to be teenagers, The Korea Times reported last week.

Perpetrators reportedly used social media platforms such as Instagram to save or screen-capture photos of victims, which are then used to create deepfake pornographic material, the Guardian reported.

The incident in South Korea attracted particular attention in China after multiple netizens, claiming to be South Korean women, posted on Chinese social media platforms recently, saying that they hope Chinese netizens will spread the story as they are that afraid that the incident is being overlooked in their country, Shanghai-based news website thepaper.cn reported on Saturday.

There are similar situations in other countries, making deepfake technology an international problem, Xie Yongjiang, a professor at the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, told Global Times on Sunday. 

As AI develops, deepfake technology is increasingly realistic, and coupled with the fact that it does not require specialized knowledge; more criminals are now scamming by means of counterfeiting some videos and pictures, and more attention should be paid to it, he said.

In June, a male suspect in China surnamed Bai was prosecuted for producing and selling obscene materials for profit as he used deepfake technology to create nearly 7,000 fake nude photos involving female students and teachers.

Since the wider public are not yet capable of differentiate AI-generated content from reality-based content, relevant authorities should develop appropriate identification technologies, Xie said, suggesting social media platform operators to set up mechanisms to deal with the issue.

Sports reporter Zhu Xiaolong recently violated regulations by participating in a live broadcast, where he made inappropriate remarks about Chinese Olympic champion Quan Hongchan.

Nanfang Media Group has promptly launched an investigation and announced on Thursday that they will handle the responsible individuals according to regulations based on the facts.

During a recent online livestream, Zhu described Quan’s behavior while showing her gold medal to foreign athletes as "eccentric" and "crazy."

Zhu stated, “She has always been an excellent diver, which is beyond doubt, but as a person, she may not be fully developed.”

He also noted that Quan cannot dive for her entire life, and remarked that her decision to start learning English is a positive development.

During the Olympics, a reporter asked Quan if she wanted to learn how to say “take it easy” in English, to which Quan responded that she did not need to.

Multilingual guidebooks to scenic spots, volunteers in red vests who help tourists exchange currency... China is not only well known for its natural scenic spots and rich cultural heritage but also treating foreign tourists with more hospitality and lovely, kind smiles from people who are ready to offer help to make their trips more convenient. Through multilingual services, the enhancement of travel facilities and the hands-on support of volunteers, it is fueling the "China Travel" trend, making visiting the country more accessible and enjoyable for visitors from all corners of the globe.

One of the most significant indicators of this trend is the recent measures taken to improve the overall travel experience for foreign tourists. For instance, in the Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, the local government announced on Monday a bilingual travel guide that will serve as a comprehensive resource for both Chinese and international visitors. The guide will be meticulously translated by seasoned professionals to ensure accuracy and cultural relevance, showcasing China's commitment to making travel easier and more informative for non-Chinese speakers.

This effort aligns perfectly with the broader picture. Liu Haitao, a senior official of the National Immigration Administration (NIA), highlighted the explosive popularity of "China Travel" online at the press conference on Monday, emphasizing how foreign tourists are witnessing firsthand a confident, open, and modern China, as reported by the Xinhua News Agency. The numbers back up this claim: From January to July, 17.25 million foreign visitors entered China, marking a 129.9 percent increase compared with the previous year. He noted that further policies will also be carried out to increase convenience and broaden the scope of visa-free entry in the future.

Cities across China are embracing this wave of international tourism with targeted initiatives. In Suzhou, the local government has launched a series of measures to facilitate foreign visitors' stays, leading to a 75 percent increase in international overnight visitors in the first half of the year. The city has equipped its cultural and tourist sites with multilingual translation devices, established multiple service points, while providing foreign currency exchange services in key tourist areas. These efforts have transformed Suzhou into a model city for international tourism in China.

Similar strides are being made in Beijing, where the "BEIJING PASS" has been introduced as an all-in-one solution for foreign tourists. This card not only covers public transportation across the city but also works at major tourist attractions, allowing seamless access to places like the Summer Palace and the Great Wall. Taishan Mountain in East China's Shandong Province has also introduced travel guides in English, providing guidance on climate, transportation, food and the city mascot so as to make travel more convenient for foreign tourists.

China's infrastructure improvements extend beyond physical facilities to include personal, human connections. In Beijing, volunteers like those at the Beijing South Railway Station's bus hub provide invaluable assistance to foreign travelers. The story of Lu Qinghong, a volunteer in a red vest who helped a Venezuelan tourist navigate the city in English, exemplifies the warm and supportive environment that China offers to its guests. Through multilingual communication and genuine care, these volunteers are the embodiment of China's hospitality.

This welcoming atmosphere is further enhanced by initiatives such as the strategic recruitment of multilingual tour guides in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, where the demand for foreign language services has been met with a robust response. By hiring guides fluent in languages like Russian and English while providing comprehensive services that allow foreign credit cards to be used in e-pay systems in China, Xi'an ensures that foreign visitors can fully engage with the region's breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage without language barriers.

The efforts also extend to ensuring that foreign visitors have access to modern amenities and services. The recent policy released by the Ministry of Commerce and six other departments focuses on improving accommodation services for foreign nationals. This includes removing unnecessary barriers for lodging operators and providing specialized training for receptionists, ensuring that all visitors, whether in China for tourism, work, or other purposes, receive top-notch service.

By combining facilities, multilingual services, and a culture of warmth and inclusion, the "China Travel" trend is inviting tourists from all over the world with more accessibility than ever before. This initiative is not just about welcoming tourists; it's about showcasing the best of what China has to offer - its beauty, its culture, and its people.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) on Tuesday announced the release of revised textbooks, including Chinese language and history books featuring new archaeological findings and studies into the origin of Chinese civilization, which will be implemented in primary and junior high schools across the country starting from the autumn semester. These new editions are set to cover all grades within three years, marking a significant step in the integration of cultural education into the curriculum.

One of the key changes in these textbooks is the emphasis on culture, enriching the content of fine traditional Chinese culture. For instance, the literature textbooks now include selections from The Classic of Poetry, the oldest existing collection of Chinese poetry; poems from the Tang, Song and Yuan dynasties (618-1368) and excerpts from novels from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), with a total of 353 pieces representing the essence of Chinese culture.

Students can learn the Chinese civilization by reading about archaeological findings such as the Liangzhu Ancient City, the Taosi site, and Niuheliang site in history textbooks, according to the MOE.

The profound value concepts, philosophical thought, moral discussions, and practical methods embedded in traditional Chinese culture provide an inexhaustible resource for cultural education. 

In today's digital world, where young people are easily influenced by vulgar online information, these historically tested cultural texts can help them establish correct values and perspectives, thus enhancing their humanistic literacy.

The textbooks also highlight China's technological advancements and stories of role models including astronauts, heroes who guarded China's borders, scientists, educators, and frontline workers. This is conducive to cultivating students' spirit of scientific exploration and inspiring them to pursue careers in science and technology.

The revision of textbooks by the Ministry of Education is a strategic move to enhance cultural education, which is essential for nurturing well-rounded individuals who appreciate and can carry forward the rich tapestry of Chinese culture. 

By exposing students to the depth and breadth of traditional Chinese culture, we are not only preserving heritage but also equipping the next generation with the values and wisdom necessary to navigate the complexities of the world.

The concept of cultural education is not new. Many schools have organized activities to bring outstanding traditional culture into campuses, such as the introduction of intangible cultural heritage (ICH). In South China's Guangdong Province, for example, activities related to Cantonese opera, paper-cutting, and Lingnan guqin, which are national and provincial-level ICH, have been organized in local primary and high schools.

The MOE has issued documents encouraging the use of extracurricular venues and public cultural facilities to organize activities with ICH representatives, guiding young people to understand and inherit the charm of ICH. 

In higher education, universities will be given support to independently establish ICH-related undergraduate majors, strengthening the construction of ICH-related specialties and courses to improve talent cultivation capabilities. 

Traditional Chinese culture, as the crystallization and essence of Chinese civilization, carries the national memory and spirit of the Chinese nation. Strengthening the education of traditional Chinese culture is beneficial for guiding young people to learn about the long history of Chinese civilization.

These measures for cultural education will help increase the dissemination and popularization of excellent traditional culture and promote the deep integration of the protection and inheritance of excellent traditional culture with the modern education system. By integrating excellent traditional culture into campuses, the content of cultural education can be creatively enriched, and the practical path of cultural education can be expanded.

On August 21, the "integrated photovoltaic, energy storage and charging" intelligent charging station built by State Grid Nanjing Power Supply Company in Sifang Xincun was successfully put into operation, effectively solving the charging problem of this old community.

Sifang Xincun community was completed in 1998. There are about 2,600 households in total. The parking spaces are tight and the power capacity is limited. In response to this situation, State Grid Nanjing Power Supply Company and Guanghua Road Sub-district jointly constructed Jiangsu Province's first intelligent charging station with integrated photovoltaic, energy storage and charging in the old community.
"'Integrated photovoltaic, energy storage and charging' refers to a green charging mode in which photovoltaic power generation, energy storage, and vehicle charging are integrated and coordinated with each other," said Zhang Xinzhan, general manager of State Grid Nanjing Electric Vehicle Service Co, Ltd, noting that the charging station has a photovoltaic canopy with an installed power of 30 kilowatts. It can provide about 30,000 kilowatt-hours of green electricity throughout the year. It is also equipped with two sets of 240 kilowatts - 200 kilowatts/261 kilowatt-hours of sponge energy storage and charging cabinets. The total charging power is 480 kilowatts, which can simultaneously provide fast charging for eight new energy vehicles.
During the day, the electric energy generated by the photovoltaic canopy will be given priority to supply vehicle charging. The remaining electric energy will be stored in the energy storage system and sent to the charging piles during the peak charging period to assist in supporting the power load. "Through advanced sponge power technology, the system will give priority to using the charging piles and energy storage system to consume the electric energy generated by photovoltaic. The photovoltaic consumption rate can reach 100 percent, which is equivalent to saving about 3.12 tons of standard coal per year," Zhang Xinzhan said, adding that under the demand-side response mode, the charging station can meet the peak shaving of 200 kilowatts for 2 hours. Under the auxiliary service mode, it can meet the valley filling of 100 kilowatts for 4 hours, realizing friendly interaction with the power grid.

In addition, to meet the residents' need for a more convenient and comfortable charging service experience, State Grid Nanjing Power Supply Company has also built an "Energy Cube" intelligent green energy post house next to the charging station, which is convenient for new energy vehicle owners to take a break during charging and also provides a haven for new business forms and new employment groups.

Xi to attend opening ceremony of 2024 Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation