Yantai in East China's Shandong province hosted the Yantai–Africa Industrial Cooperation Event from Aug 6 to 7, bringing together diplomatic envoys, business associations, and company representatives from 15 African countries.

The event featured more than Yantai's 50 export-oriented companies from seven fields, including equipment manufacturing, marine fisheries, new energy, port logistics, and mining development. The talks aimed to expand practical cooperation and connect Yantai with African markets.

Chinese and African representatives conduct business negotiations at the Yantai–Africa Industrial Cooperation Event in Yantai, Shandong province. [Photo/WeChat account: ytrb-shcj]

The event marked another step forward in expanding Yantai's cooperation with Africa. Following marine fisheries cooperation with Angola in May, the city is broadening its engagement from single-country partnerships to multi-country African markets. It has been working to expand its reach beyond marine fisheries into diverse industrial sectors.

"For companies, the event is a key opportunity to deepen cooperation and build mutual trust," said Sha Jiachen, regional manager for the Middle East and North Africa at Moon Environment Technology Co Ltd. He expressed hope that through this matchmaking event, local firms can engage in in-depth exchanges with African countries, and advance cooperation in projects, technology, and localization.

Sun Fuxin, director of Yantai Foreign Affairs Office, said economic foreign affairs have become a core measure to empower local enterprises to go global. Yantai will roll out pragmatic measures to match industrial demands, connect businesses with global resources, and streamline the business environment via efficient mechanisms.