Residents and visitors appreciate artworks at the Africa Cultural and Tourism Fair in Jinhua. [Photo/jinhua.com.cn]

The 2025 China-Africa Cultural Silk Road Exchange Month event commenced in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, on Nov 7, marking a new chapter in cultural cooperation between China and Africa.

The "China-Africa Night" carnival in 2018 laid the foundation for Jinhua's cultural exchange with Africa. Over the years, the program has evolved, with the China-Africa Cultural Exchange Week expanding into a two-month event in 2023.

This year, the event adopted an innovative "One Conference, One Workshop, One Fair" model to enhance the cooperation platform and boost public engagement.

The 2025 Conference on China-Africa Cultural and Tourism Cooperation & Exchange was held on Nov 7, where participants discussed advancing the "Cultural Silk Road" initiative.

John Lekakeny Ololtuaa, principal secretary at the Kenya Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, emphasized the importance of cultural and tourism collaboration in strengthening China-Africa relations. He highlighted opportunities in tourism promotion, cultural investment, knowledge sharing, and sustainable tourism.

An exhibition showcasing the achievements of the "Qiaochuifang" China-Africa wood carving exchange also opened on Nov 7, displaying 32 artworks by 106 artists from 22 African countries.

An outstanding piece by a Ghanaian artist features branches to represent Africa and bamboo to symbolize China, with two clenched fists symbolizing the deep friendship between the two regions.

The woodcarving work symbolizes the unity between China and Africa. [Photo/jinhua.com.cn]

Additionally, the four-day Africa Cultural and Tourism Fair began on Nov 6. The event featured African music, dance, handicrafts, and delicacies, along with exhibitions of Jinhua's cultural heritage, offering residents and visitors a unique cultural experience. Online audiences also joined through the livestreaming room to purchase African products.