Nairobi, December 27th (Xinhua) — Journalist’s note | 2025: China’s imprint on the African continent
In 2025, the Forum on China Africa Cooperation will enter a historic moment of its 25th anniversary. From the grand plan of jointly building the “the Belt and Road”, to the idea of true affinity and sincerity deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, from the deep friendship of people to people, to the firm steps of jointly pursuing modernization, the road of China Africa cooperation is increasingly broad. In the vast continent of Africa, journalists deeply feel that cooperation empowerment is bringing greater vitality to this ancient continent.
A ‘happy grass’ that illuminates the green desert and warms the heart.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Mauritania. In June 2025, reporters came to this’ desert country ‘to document how Chinese mushroom and grass technology has taken root and benefited the local community. As far as the eye can see, the mushroom grass field is lush and green. Mushroom grass has become an important source of forage in the local area and also serves as an ecological barrier for windbreak and sand fixation.
Joy is vividly written on people’s faces. Herdsman Amir Abdu’s flock has transformed from emaciated to plump and robust. Thanks to Chinese experts, we can finally feed our livestock well and have hope for our future
Around the capital of Mauritania, Nouakchott, an elderly person who often visits the mushroom garden said that she has never seen a world outside the desert since childhood. This unexpectedly grown greenery is like a dream garden.
In Rwanda, known as the ‘Land of Thousand Hills’, mushroom technology is quietly changing the lives of thousands of families. After completing his studies at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University and returning to China, local youth Leonidas led a team to cultivate mushrooms using fungi and grass to supply the market. Seeing local children happily eating mushroom nutritious meals, the reporter deeply understands the expectations carried by the “Happy Grass”.
A sports stadium, the cornerstone of dreams, illuminating the future.
At the forefront of the construction of the Taranta Sports City in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, reporters saw that although the night was deep, the construction site was brightly lit, with hundreds or thousands of builders working day and night in shifts, giving their all.
This modern sports complex, constructed by a Chinese company and set to serve as one of the main venues for the 2027 Africa Cup, has carried high expectations since its foundation. Kenyan President Ruto said during his inspection of the construction site that a world-class sports hall will rise here.
After the series of short videos about the construction of Taranta Sports City were released on social media, netizens left comments: “China has always been helping Africa’s construction with practical actions” and “Thank China, looking forward to more good news of cooperation”.
Taranta Sports City is a microcosm of China Africa cooperation. In April 2025, before his visit to China, Ruto said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency that major infrastructure cooperation projects such as the Mombasa Nairobi Railway and Lamu Port not only improved connectivity within Kenya, but also promoted regional integration and economic development in East Africa.
A forum meeting, resonating with each other’s voices, and embarking on a new journey together.
In November 2025, the China Africa Partners Conference of the Global South Media Think Tank High end Forum was held as scheduled in Johannesburg, South Africa. The atmosphere inside the venue was lively, and media representatives, as witnesses and transmitters of China Africa friendship, shared their experiences and feelings from the vast grasslands of East Africa to the vast deserts of West Africa, from prosperous communities in southern Africa to peaceful villages along the Indian Ocean.
During the two-day conference, over 160 mainstream media outlets, think tanks, government departments, and more than 200 representatives from China and 41 African countries, as well as the African Union, engaged in in-depth exchanges on topics such as “China Africa’s Responsibility in Global Governance Reform”, “China Africa Action in Global Southern Revitalization”, and “China Africa Integration in Global Civilization Coexistence”. The attending guests expressed their eager anticipation for deepening China Africa exchanges and praised China’s role in uniting the “global South” to promote modernization.
Data is the most persuasive. In 2024, the trade volume between China and Africa reached 295.6 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 4.8%, setting a new historical high for the fourth consecutive year. China has maintained its position as Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. Meanwhile, China is also one of the main sources of foreign investment in Africa. China continues to expand its opening up to Africa, announcing the implementation of 100% tariff free products for 53 African countries with diplomatic relations
Looking back at 2025, these frozen moments indicate that China Africa cooperation is rooted in a shared historical memory and points towards a future of working together. Looking ahead, China and Africa will continue to work hand in hand, deeply cultivate and cultivate for the well-being of the people and for peace and prosperity.