The China-Africa Economic and Trade Co-operation expo will be held in June 2023.
The expo commonly referred to as CAETE is held biennially and is co-sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (MOFCOM) and the People’s Government of Hunan Province.
Organisers said it is committed to building a new mechanism for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation; a new platform for the implementation of economic and trade initiatives under FOCAC, and a new window for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation at the sub-national level.
Held in June 2019 and September 2021, the first two sessions have yielded fruitful results including the signing of 216 projects with a total investment of USD 43.02 billion.
The 3rd CAETE, on the theme of “Common Development for a Shared Future”, is about to kick off in Changsha, Hunan, in June 2023. Guided by the spirit of the 8th FOCAC Ministerial Conference, the Expo will focus on the “Nine Programs” for China-Africa cooperation and organize various events in various forms, attracting thousands of participants to Changsha, including Chinese and African dignitaries and diplomats, representatives of international organizations, financial institutions, business associations, chambers of commerce, and media, entrepreneurs, experts, and scholars.
1. Time: June 29-July 2, 2023.
2. Host City: Changsha, Hunan, China
3. Venue: Changsha International Conference Center (main venue), Changsha
International Convention and Exhibition Center (main exhibition venue); China-Africa Economic and Trade Innovation Park in Hunan Gaoqiao Grand Market (sub-exhibition venue)
4. Sponsored by Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and People’s Government of Hunan Province
5. Organized by Department of Commerce of Hunan Province, Trade Development Bureau of MOFCOM, Foreign Affairs Office of Hunan Province, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Hunan Sub-Council, and the People’s Government of Changsha City
6. Theme: Common Development for a Shared Future
II. Signature Events
The Third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo organizes events in five categories (signature events, high-level forums, promotion and business matchmaking events, thematic seminars and supporting events). The time, location and scale of the high-level forums, promotion and business matchmaking events and thematic seminars will be jointly decided by the sponsors and organizers upon consultation.
1. Opening Ceremony and China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum
2. High-Level Forums
1) China-Africa Infrastructure Cooperation Forum
Introduction: Focusing on “Building Green Infrastructure: New Infrastructure, New Technology, New Energy”, the forum will invite representatives from industry regulators of African countries, international financial institutions, engineering contractors, and executives from representative industry chains in green and low-carbon sectors, digital and intelligent technology.
The forum incorporates keynote speeches, discussions on selected topics, results release, and project signing to explore and promote China-Africa infrastructure cooperation for green and low-carbon transformation and upgrading, to foster alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the development strategies of African countries, and to witness the signing of cooperation projects.
Sponsored by State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC).
Organized by China International Contractors Association (CHINCA), China Development Bank (CDB), The Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM), China Export&Credit Insurance Corporation (SINOSURE) and SASAC of Hunan Provincial People’s Government.
2) China-Africa Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Cooperation Forum
Introduction: The forum aims to share the experience and practices of SPS and food safety management, introduce the policy for African agricultural and food products to enter China, exchange information on the effectiveness of the “green channel” for African agricultural and food products exported to China and on the needs of African countries, so as to launch the China-Africa SPS Cooperation Information Network and promote the healthy development of China-Africa trade in food and agricultural products.
Sponsored by General Administration of Customs of China (GACC)
Organized by Changsha Customs
3) China-Africa Healthcare Development Forum
Introduction: Focusing on China-Africa healthcare policies, markets, products, technologies and project cooperation, the forum will invite representatives from ministries of health, medical products administration, and commerce, from research and medical institutions, and businesses of China and African countries as well as representatives from relevant UN agencies, the AU Commission. The forum incorporates keynote speeches and panel discussions on the pathway to implement China-Africa healthcare cooperation projects, promote regulatory cooperation between China and African countries, and promote the mutual recognition of registration standards, procedures and quality management systems of pharmaceutical products of China and Africa.
Sponsored by National Medical Products Administration (NMPA)
Organized by China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products (CCCMHPIE), Hunan Provincial Medical Products Administration and Hunan Provincial Health Commission
4) China-Africa Quality Infrastructure Connectivity Forum
Introduction: Focusing on the theme of “China-Africa quality infrastructure Connectivity for Unimpeded China-Africa Trade”, the forum will invite China-Africa industry regulators and experts to discuss the exchange of legal, regulatory and policy documents, standards comparison and rules convergence, enhance the convergence of China-Africa rules in the field of measurement, standards, and conformity assessment, so as to promote unimpeded China-Africa trade between the two markets of 1.4 billion consumers on either side, enhance the quality and efficiency of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, and empower the soft connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Sponsored by State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR)
Organized by Hunan Provincial Administration for Market Regulation and Development Research Center of State Administration for Market Regulation
5) Forum on China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Introduction: Focusing on the theme of “Opportunities of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Africa”, the forum will invite representatives from health and agriculture ministries of African countries, officials of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and representatives of medical institutions in China to interpret the current policies on foreign cooperation and development of TCM, share the history and typical cases of TCM development, introduce the status quo and success stories of TCM trade between China and Africa, present a number of premium TCM brands, and materialize more TCM cooperation projects.
Sponsored by National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Organized by China Medical Pharmaceutical Material Association (CMPMA) and Hunan Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine
6) China-Africa Women’s Forum
Introduction: Focusing on the theme of “Uniting Women’s Strength for All-round Development of Chinese and African Women”, the forum will invite Chinese and African women officials from governments and international organizations, women entrepreneurs, and women experts and scholars to conduct exchange and dialogues on economic and trade cooperation and women’s education with poverty reduction as the focus, and on women and post-pandemic economic recovery, share the experiences and achievements of China and Africa in the field of women’s development, launch demand-driven exchange and training programs, and promote contract signing or leads of cooperation.
Sponsored by All-China Women’s Federation
Organized by Hunan Women’s Federation and the People’s Government of Changsha City
3. Promotion and Business Matchmaking Events
1) Project Fair of the Pilot Zone for In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation
Introduction: The event will introduce the development of the Pilot Zone for In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation, release the latest policies and pilot initiatives, and organize B2B events on specific projects.
Sponsored by Department of Commerce of Hunan Province and the People’s Government of Changsha City
Organized by Commerce Bureau of Changsha City, Administrative Committee of HNFTZ Changsha Area and People’s Government of Yuhua District
2) Promotion Conference for Industrial Parks in Africa
Introduction: The event will interpret the prospects and channels for industrial parks and enterprises to participate in the key projects of the “Nine Programs”; it will invite typical parks in China and Africa to introduce their strategic development plans and leading industries; it will also organize B2B event for African industrial parks and Chinese enterprises.
Sponsored by China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) and Africa Economic Zones Organization (AEZO)
3) China-Africa Fair for Investment and Trade in Agri-food Products
Introduction: The event will discuss the transformation and upgrading of agricultural trade driven by digital cooperation, interpret the investment policies in agri-food products in Africa, discuss the development of low-carbon economy and international agricultural trade, and organize negotiations between Chinese and African buyers and suppliers of agri-food products such as oil seeds, nuts, coffee, aquatic and marine products, etc.
Sponsored by China Chamber of Commerce of Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-products (CFNA) and Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Hunan Province
4) China-Africa Fair for Investment and Trade in Light Industry Products (Fashion Products)
Introduction: The event aims to connect Chinese and African buyers and suppliers of light industry products, facilitate trade transactions, stimulate consumption, and accelerate market development, discuss the development trend of China-Africa trade of light industry products, and present the industrial base of hair products, cases and bags, and lighters in Shaoyang, Hunan.
Sponsored by China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Light Industrial Products and Arts-Crafts (CCCLA) and People’s Government of Shaoyang City
5) China-Africa Fair for Investment and Trade in Textiles and Clothing
Introduction: The event interprets African textile and clothing market, investment environment and related policies, arranges B2B networking to facilitate trade and investment project cooperation, and builds a platform for industry chain and supply chain cooperation in China-Africa textile and clothing industry.
Sponsored by China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles (CCCT)
6) Promotion Events for African Countries
Introduction: Presentation of investment environment and projects of African countries.
Sponsored by Investment Promotion Agencies of African Countries and municipal people’s governments of Hunan Province
7) Hunan-Africa Products and Tourism Matchmaking Conference
Introduction: On the theme of “Hunan products entering Africa”, the conference will promote Hunan special products including construction machinery, fireworks, tobacco, tourism programs to boost Hunan-Africa trade and people-to-people exchange.
Sponsored by Department of Commerce of Hunan Province, Department of Industry and Information Technology of Hunan Province, and Department of Culture and Tourism of Hunan Province
8) Conference for Economic and Trade Cooperation between Chinese Provinces (Municipalities and Autonomous Regions) and African Countries
Introduction: Conference for Economic and Trade Cooperation held by theme provinces, guest provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions), and cities in Hunan Province for their respective key African partner countries; B2B events will also be organized. The events organized by other cities of Hunan province include ①China-Africa Cities Forum (Changsha); ②China-Africa Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (Changsha); ③ Promotion Conference for China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone Changsha Area; ④China (Hengyang)–Africa Green Development and Electricity Cooperation Conference; ⑤Promotion Conference for Yueyang China-Africa Industrial and Trade Park; ⑥China-Africa Forum on Non-ferrous Metals (Minerals) Cooperation Chenzhou; ⑦ China Yongzhou Land Port Special Event; ⑧ China-Africa Agricultural Machinery, Electronic Ceramics and Printing Products Matchmaking Fair (Loudi). The above events will be held in Changsha during the expo.
Sponsored by people’s governments of provinces/municipalities/autonomous regions or of cities/prefecture in Hunan province
Organized by commerce authorities of provinces/municipalities/autonomous regions or of cities/prefecture in Hunan province
4. Thematic Seminars
1) High-level Seminar on In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation
Introduction: the seminar will discuss and promote further institutional coordination between the Pilot Zone for In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the development of African economic and trade project bank, barter trade plus investment model, China-Africa standards harmonization, financial innovation and technical trade initiatives, etc.
Sponsored by Counsellors’ Office of the State Council (COSC) and People’s Government of Hunan Province
Organized by China Association of Trade in Services (CATIS) and China Council for International Investment Promotion (CCIIP) and Counsellor’s Office of People’s Government of Hunan Province, Administrative Committee of HNFTZ Changsha Area, and China-Africa Economic and Trade Promotion Council
2) China-Africa Agri-Food Supply Chain Cooperation Forum
Introduction: On the theme of “Together, Forge Ahead for a Green Future,” the forum will invite representatives of African agricultural ministries and diplomats to China, ITC officials, and Chinese and African enterprises and business associations to discuss “effective cooperation mechanisms for a stable, transparent, and predictable development environment”, “post-pandemic agricultural opportunities and challenges”, and “act on the Global Development Initiative to further China-Africa cooperation in Agri-Food Supply Chain” so as to support African countries to move up the industrial chain and achieve sustainable development.
Sponsored by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and International Trade Center (ITC)
Organized by China Chamber of Commerce of Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-products (CFNA), China-Africa Development Fund (CADFund), China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Hunan Sub-Council, Division of Country Programmes (DCP) of ITC and Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Hunan Province
3) China-Africa TVET Cooperation Seminar
Introduction: The seminar aims to promote China-Africa TVET cooperation to serve the economic and trade cooperation, share success stories, and introduce cooperation opportunities in African countries; it will also discuss means to cultivate local employees for Chinese enterprises in Africa and effectively improve the vocational and technical skills of local employees.
Sponsored by Department of Education of Hunan Province and Department of Commerce of Hunan Province
Organized by Vocational Education Alliance for China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation
4) Seminar on China-Africa Automobile Industry Cooperation
Introduction: The seminar will interpret the latest policy trends of China’s automobile exports, introduce the development, market, regulations and policies, and investment environment of the automobile industry in Africa (by representatives of African countries) as well as overseas financing and credit support policies (by Chinese financial institutions), and share success stories of Chinese automobile makers in Africa.
Sponsored by China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM)
5) Seminar on China’s Corporate Social Responsibility in Africa: the Role of Chinese Companies in African Communities
Introduction: The seminar will showcase the achievements of Chinese companies in promoting community development in Africa, discuss the CSR initiatives of Chinese companies in Africa, release the phased results of the initiative of “100 Companies in 1,000 Villages”, publish the “White Paper on Social Responsibility of Chinese Companies in Africa”, and showcase the good practices of Chinese companies.
Sponsored by Alliance of Chinese Business in Africa for Social Responsibilities
6) Seminar on Think Tanks for China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation
Introduction: The seminar will invite China-Africa experts and scholars, representatives from Chinese universities and think tanks to discuss economic and trade exchanges and cooperation between China and African countries, and build a high-end think tank alliance for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation.
Sponsored by Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation of MOFCOM and China-Africa Economic and Trade Research Institute
5. Supporting Events
1) Field Trip
Time: July 1- 2, 2023
Location: Changsha city and surrounding areas
Introduction: Filed trips will be organized to visit core areas, key parks and companies in the Pilot Zone for In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation
Organized by municipal people’s governments and Department of Commerce of Hunan Province
2) Press Briefing
Time: July 2, 2023 (afternoon)
Venue: Changsha International Conference Center
Introduction: Briefing on the overview and outcomes of the Expo
Organized by Publicity Department of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, Trade Development Bureau of MOFCOM and Department of Commerce of Hunan Province
III. Exhibition
Time: June 29-July 2. June 29 and 30 open for professional visitors only; July 1 and 2 open for the public.
The main exhibition venue consists of six single exhibition halls and an outdoor square for the exhibition, with an exhibition area of about 80,000 square meters. During the exhibition, special areas will be set up in the main exhibition venue to provide venues for exhibitors and buyers to hold new product launches, company promotions, B2B events, project signing ceremonies and other events. The sub-venue will mainly use the permanent exhibition hall of the Expo for exhibition and display. The setup of the main exhibition is as follows.
1. Exhibition Highlights. It includes the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Achievements Exhibition (including the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Solutions and Cases Exhibition, the Pilot Zone for In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Exhibition), Chinese-African Women’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Achievement Exhibition, the Countries of Honor Exhibition, the Theme Provinces Exhibition, the Central SOEs Exhibition, etc.
2. African Companies and Products: It showcases African brand commodities, specialty agri-food products, consumer goods, cultural tourism, and finance and other services. It aims to strengthen cooperation with investment and trade promotion agencies and chambers of commerce and associations in African countries. It will facilitate negotiation between buyers, traders and exhibitors by providing printed and/or digital exhibitors and product lists in advance.
3. Chinese Companies and Products. The exhibition is categorized by industries, with remanufacturing, healthcare, consumer electronics, culture, sports and tourism, agriculture, auto parts and components as the highlights; it will also display agri-food products, light industry and consumer goods, mechanical and electrical products, mining industry chain, trade in service, etc.
4. Chinese Provinces (Municipalities, Autonomous Regions). The exhibition is to showcase their image, cooperation achievements with Africa, and major companies investing in Africa.
5. Domestic and Foreign Trade Integration. By building a platform for the integration of domestic and foreign trade and consumption upgrading, the exhibition aims to help Chinese export-oriented businesses expand the domestic market.
6. Outdoor Exhibition. It displays large exhibits including construction machinery, agricultural machinery, and automobiles.
IV. Venue Address and Contact Information
1. Main Venue: Changsha International Conference Center (No. 108 Guozhan Road, Changsha, Hunan, PRC)
2. Main Exhibition Venue: Changsha International Convention and Exhibition Center (No. 118 Guozhan Road, Changsha, Hunan, PRC)
3. Sub-Exhibition Venue: China-Africa Economic and Trade Innovation Park (No. 578, Section 1, East 2nd Ring Road, Changsha, Hunan, PRC)
4. Contact Information
The 3rd CAETE Organizing Committee Secretariat
Address: No.98, Wuyi Avenue, Changsha City, Hunan Province, PRC
