Photo: Chen Xi/GT

In one exhibition corner, several guests from Chad, Nigeria and Egypt carefully explore traditional cloisonne techniques by painting some cultural products. Nearby, some guests are fully immersed in an 8k ultra HD video experience, which is taking them on a virtual journey from the Central Axis of Beijing to the majestic wildlife migrations of Africa. 

This scene took place at the China National Convention Center, the venue for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (­FOCAC), on Thursday. 

During the summit, the newly released China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan (2025-27) highlighted people-to-people exchanges in terms of culture, tourism and sports.

The plan noted that the two sides will jointly implement the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), increase engagement and cooperation in areas such as education, science and technology, health, tourism and media, strengthen cultural exchanges, and enhance people-to-people ties, with the aim of cementing the social foundation for friendship between China and Africa. 

Many guests from countries including Zimbabwe, Mali and Uganda told the Global Times that FOCAC has consistently been a platform that fosters deeper cooperation and cultural exchanges between China and Africa, particularly in areas critical to sustainable development. 

On Tuesday, China signed a number of joint statements with many African countries such as Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Uganda.

Tungamirai Eric Mupona, vice chairman of the China Zimbabwe Exchange Center, told the Global Times that the summit can be seen as a concrete manifestation of China's active implementation of the GCI. He highlighted ­China's support for Zimbabwe's educational infrastructure and the preservation of its traditional culture. 

Mupona also noted the significance of a memorandum signed between the two countries' national television networks and media, which is expected to further promote people-to-people exchanges. 

Melha Rout Biel, executive director of the Institute for Strategic and Policy Studies from South Sudan, told the Global Times that South Sudan is home to over 60 distinct ethnic groups, each with their own unique culture and traditions, much like China's 56 ethnic groups. This diversity forms an essential foundation for cultural exchanges between the two countries. 

"We are all human beings, so you can learn from others. Cultural interaction brings people closer together," Biel said, adding that South Sudan's rich tradition of arts and crafts offers China a window into African culture and highlighting the potential for mutual enrichment through such exchanges.

Dahlia A. Ducreay, director of the International Department from the Silk Road Youth Forum, told the Global Times that China and Africa can build a partnership that is not only strong but also "just and sustainable." "I would like to emphasize the importance of ensuring that development initiatives under FOCAC and the Belt and Road Initiative are not only economically beneficial but also socially empowering."