Hundreds of African political and business leaders filed into China’s Great Hall of the People on Thursday, eager to forge new partnerships, sign deals and build industry links.
“Business is business. We buy from anywhere. In China the price is right,” Abakar Tahir Moussa, a Chadian construction company owner, told AFP as he showed off the business card of a potential new Chinese partner.
He hoped to use the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which concludes on Friday, to partner with Chinese companies on road and bridge projects.
“I am here to network and win more business,” said Moussa, who was among thousands of delegates from more than 50 countries at the forum’s glitzy opening ceremony.
A housing developer in Burkina Faso, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Chinese products were “cheaper than in other countries.”
“We buy everything from China – lighting, air conditioning, electrical wires. The only thing we get from elsewhere is cement,” he told AFP outside the venue.
“If you want quality, you can get good quality (in China), and it’s cheap,” he said, taking off his shoes and clutching a smartphone with a gold case.
Bustling Beijing
The atmosphere was hopeful and friendly ahead of a meeting that many Africans hope will spur much-needed development and investment in their countries.
Leaders from across Africa and their entourages have been arriving in Beijing since Saturday, with President Xi Jinping keeping busy with bilateral meetings throughout the week.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu even praised their Chinese hosts for the food served at a lavish dinner hosted by Xi on Wednesday night.
A broad-shouldered security guard wearing dark sunglasses kept watch outside the hall as delegates entered through an airport-style X-ray machine.
Security has been tight around the capital all week as heads of state continue to arrive.
Passengers arriving at Beijing’s train stations faced stepped-up security checks, and authorities stepped up monitoring of vehicles entering the city through traffic checkpoints.
The hotel has been booked out all week and is surrounded by armed guards and a new metal fence.
A shopping and nightlife hub, Sanlitun’s bars are packed with tourists from all over Africa.
Xi pledged more than $50 billion to Africa over the next three years, more than half of which will come in loans, and told delegates at the opening ceremony that China was “ready to deepen cooperation with African countries.”
China is Africa’s largest trading partner and its loans have helped build much-needed infrastructure but have also stirred controversy by saddled governments with huge debts.
But many delegates seemed hopeful that China would contribute to their own development as it seeks to tap Africa’s vast natural resources.
A developer in Burkina Faso said Chinese investment had a “positive impact on the economy” and “improved people’s lives”, and increased trade meant “people can buy a lot more”.
“I hope this forum will further improve relations and bring about greater cooperation between our two countries.”