2023.11.11
November 8, 2023 – The 2023 China-Africa Cultural and Tourism Cooperation Forum was held in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, China. The event was graced with video addresses by DU Jiang, Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, and H.E. Mr. Seleshi Girma, State Minister of Tourism of Ethiopia. In-person speeches were delivered by H.E. Rahamtalla M. Osman, Permanent Representative of the African Union to China, XU Peng, Level I Inspector of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, and LI Binfeng, Vice Mayor of Jinhua Municipal People’s Government. Keynote speeches were presented by Mr. LIU Shijun, Vice Chair and Secretary-General of World Tourism Alliance (WTA), and other distinguished guests including Sarah Attissou, the Deputy Director Cooperation of the Cooperation and Professionalization Department of Tourism and Leisure Ministry of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.
DU Jiang, Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China
In his video address, Vice Minister DU Jiang emphasized the vital role of cultural and tourism exchanges in enhancing China-Africa relations. He highlighted that the exchange and cooperation in culture and tourism are inexhaustible drivers for closer China-Africa ties and are crucial for mutual understanding and people-to-people bonds. Deepening China-Africa cultural and tourism cooperation, sharing successful experiences and measures, and strengthening cooperation needs will promote joint progress in cultural and tourism sectors, benefiting the people of China and Africa. This cooperation is instrumental in achieving the development visions of both sides and plays a positive role in building a high-level China-Africa community of shared future.
H.E. Mr. Seleshi Girma, State Minister of Tourism of Ethiopia
State Minister Seleshi Girma noted that both Africa and China boast splendid cultures, long histories, and rich natural resources. He commended China’s effective cultural preservation efforts and its promotion of cultural and tourism integration. African countries are enthusiastic about showcasing the beautiful African continent and advancing economic development through tourism. The China-Africa Cultural and Tourism Cooperation Forum will significantly contribute to strengthening China-Africa relations and promoting the preservation and inheritance of culture and tourism.
LIU Shijun, Vice Chair and Secretary-General of World Tourism Alliance
Mr. LIU Shijun, in his keynote speech, stated, “‘Promoting Tourism for Poverty Alleviation’ is one of the missions of the WTA. From 2018 to 2023, the WTA, in collaboration with the International Poverty Reduction Center in China and other units, has consecutively published 250 typical case studies of ‘Best Practice in Poverty Alleviation through Tourism’ and ‘Best Practices of Rural Revitalization through Tourism’. These cases comprehensively demonstrate China’s experience in using tourism development to lift rural areas out of poverty and achieve sustainable development. They vividly interpret the effectiveness of China’s people-centered approach in tourism development and highlight the effective tourism practice of the ‘Chinese solution’. The WTA, through analyzing these typical cases, has summarized some models and pathways for tourism to promote rural poverty reduction, contributing examples and wisdom to the global cause of tourism poverty alleviation”.
In line with President XI Jinping’s keynote speech at The 8th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Jinhua has fully leveraged its advantages in economic, trade, and cultural exchanges with Africa to actively participate in the Belt and Road initiative, and implement the “Eight Major Initiatives” and “Nine Programs” for China-Africa cooperation. This has significantly deepened and materialized China-Africa exchanges and cooperation. The previous China-Africa Cultural Cooperation and Exchange Week held for four sessions has been officially upgraded to the China-Africa Cultural Cooperation and Exchange Month this year, which is expected to showcase the cultural charm of China and Africa in various dimensions through forums, international touring exhibitions, exchange performances, and academic cooperation, and promote China-Africa tourism cooperation.
The China-Africa Cultural and Tourism Cooperation Forum, as a key event of the 2023 China-Africa Cultural Cooperation and Exchange Month, was co-hosted by the Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, China Tourism Academy, Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, and Jinhua Municipal People’s Government. Themed “Strengthening China-Africa Cultural Exchange and Tourism Cooperation, Building a High-level China-Africa Community of Shared Future”, the forum supported by the World Tourism Alliance and the Institute of African Studies of Zhejiang Normal University saw the participation of over 200 representatives and envoys from China, African countries and the African Union, together with industry experts, and institutional representatives.