# Overseas Overseas Chinese Forge the New Silk Road, Jiashan Leaps Forward into Africa Release Date: 2024-06-20 14:56 Views: 144 On June 19, the 2024 Yangtze River Delta (Jiaxing) · New Silk Road (Africa) Economic and Trade Cooperation Exchange Conference was held in Jiashan. Co-hosted by the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of China Zhi Gong Party and Sinosure Zhejiang Branch, the conference themed “Leap from the Yangtze River Delta to Africa; Overseas Chinese Forge the Silk Road”. It invited diplomatic envoys from Tanzania, South Africa and other countries, together with overseas Chinese leaders, African purchasers and Zhejiang foreign trade enterprises. The event supports Jiashan’s construction of dual demonstration zones and boosts economic, trade and investment cooperation between Jiashan and Africa. Economic and trade platforms serve as vital carriers for China-Africa exchanges. The Yangtze River Delta (Jiashan) African Commodity Exhibition Center was officially inaugurated on-site. As a key showcase for local China-Africa trade achievements, the center leverages the functional strengths of Jiaxing Comprehensive Bonded Zone (Zone B) and the tourist resources of Xitang Ancient Town. Integrating commerce, culture and tourism, it will bring a rich selection of African goods and services to consumers across the Yangtze River Delta. In addition, the China-Africa Zhi Gong Station and China-Europe Zhi Gong Station signed strategic cooperation agreements with Jiashan General Chamber of Commerce and Jiashan International Chamber of Commerce respectively. By introducing overseas Chinese resources via the Zhi Gong Station platform, the parties will take overseas Chinese as a bridge and attract investors through business connections. They will help Jiashan enterprises expand global trade partners and lift Jiashan’s dual demonstration development to new heights. Focusing on both bringing in investment and going global, five China-Africa trade and investment projects were signed collectively, including the USD 17 million cleaning machine export project of Zhejiang Yili Machinery & Electric Joint Stock Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Yili Machinery & Electric Joint Stock Co., Ltd. is a Jiashan-based manufacturer integrating R&D, production, sales and after-sales service. Its products are exported to more than 100 countries and regions worldwide. “The contract will help us further explore the South African market. We will continue to expand business across the whole of Africa through global outreach. We project that African sales will account for 10% of our total export volume within three years, laying a solid foundation to become a global supplier of cleaning products and services,” said Shan Degang, General Manager of the company. Jiashan Gesong Technology Co., Ltd. specializes in the R&D and sales of adhesives, sealants and automotive care solutions, with main markets in America and Africa. After in-depth talks with Nigerian buyers, General Manager Shi Mingliang exchanged business cards for future cooperation. “We have met many potential African buyers and learned about their new demands to open up new markets,” Shi Mingliang noted. The company is tapping into the African market with high cost-performance Chinese-made products that are well received by local clients. Thanks to online marketing and active participation in domestic and overseas exhibitions, it has acquired growing numbers of African customers with rising market share year by year. The enterprise is expanding product lines into textiles, building materials and hardware, targeting an annual export growth of around 30%. In recent years, Jiashan County has actively participated in the Belt and Road Initiative between China and Africa with increasingly frequent trade ties. It has established economic and trade exchanges with 48 African countries and regions including Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon and Tanzania. Its annual growth rate of trade with Africa stands at 10.36%. Major traded goods include hardware fasteners, home appliances, textiles, garments and timber. Up to now, five local enterprises including Shunxiang Leather and Aiku Import & Export have set up seven overseas subsidiaries in Africa. Source: County Media Center