The Zhejiang provincial government hosts a conference with African envoys in Hangzhou on Sept 14. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

The Zhejiang provincial government hosted a conference with African envoys in the provincial capital of Hangzhou on Sept 14.

The conference was themed around defeating COVID-19. Among the attendees were 21 ambassadors (or chargé d'affaires) to China from African  countries, 13 deputy ambassadors, ministers, and counselors to China, Zhejiang government officials, and managers of Zhejiang-based enterprises involved in China-Africa cooperation.

Zhu Congjiu, deputy governor of Zhejiang, welcomed the African diplomats' visit to the province in a speech. Zhu mentioned various exchange and cooperation programs between Zhejiang and African countries in recent years and called for strengthening bilateral cooperation amid the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Zhu Congjiu, deputy governor of Zhejiang, speaks at the conference. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

Rahamtalla M. Osman, head of the AU Mission to China, praised China as a trustworthy partner in his speech at the conference. He expressed hope that Africa and China can enhance cooperation in trade, education, human resources, and more.

Rahamtalla M. Osman, head of the AU Mission to China, speaks at the conference. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

Abdallah Abdillahi Miguil, Djibouti's ambassador to China, delivered a speech on behalf of the group of African envoys. Miguil said that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and that China-Africa cooperation has been presented with both opportunities and challenges amid the pandemic. Miguil expressed hope for a stronger friendship between Zhejiang and Africa.

Abdallah Abdillahi Miguil, Djibouti's ambassador to China, speaks at the conference. [Photo/ zj.zjol.com.cn]

During the conference, the Zhejiang provincial government introduced a Zhejiang-Africa cooperation plan involving public health, economics, higher education, culture, and tourism.