Linyi forges new trade ties with Africa

The Linyi, China-Economic and Trade Dialogue with Diplomatic Envoys of African Countries to China event opened in Shandong's Linyi on July 10, marking a significant step in bilateral cooperation.

With Linyi's first-quarter trade with Africa reaching 6.74 billion yuan ($1 billion) — a 16.6 percent year-on-year increase — the city is capitalizing on its role as a global commodity hub to deepen industrial synergy.

The event gathered high-level delegates, including the ambassadors of Gabon and Malawi, alongside commercial counselors from Senegal and Cameroon, to focus on infrastructure, engineering machinery, and supply chain integration.

Participants engaged in targeted discussions and visited key local sites and enterprises like the Linyi Trade City and Shandong Lingong Construction Machinery Co Ltd (SDLG) to explore practical investment opportunities.

Baudelaire Ndong Ella, Ambassador of Gabon to China, emphasized Linyi's role as a "world supermarket", noting that Gabon seeks to deepen partnerships in strategic sectors like processing and manufacturing industries, modern agriculture, and infrastructure.