中非地方政府合作論壇 搭建務(wù)實交流平臺

中非地方政府合作論壇（以下簡稱“論壇”）是中非合作論壇框架內(nèi)成立的、旨在促進中非地方交流與合作的分論壇會議。論壇由中國人民對外友好協(xié)會（以下簡稱“全國友協(xié)”）主辦，以落實“真、實、親、誠”的對非外交理念為目標，致力于將中非合作成果惠及民眾，夯實中非友好基礎(chǔ)。

論壇機制由來與背景

2010年10月22日，“中非友好貢獻獎——感動非洲的十大中國企業(yè)”官網(wǎng)在北京啟動。（CFP）

2006年1月發(fā)布的《中國對非政策文件》和11月發(fā)布的《中非合作論壇北京行動計劃（2007-2009年）》均表示，中國政府重視中非地方政府之間的交往，積極支持中非雙方建立友好省州或友好城市，促進雙方在地方發(fā)展管理方面的交流和合作。

受中央政府委托，全國友協(xié)負責(zé)協(xié)調(diào)管理我國同外國建立和發(fā)展友好城市關(guān)系的工作，推動中外地方和城市的交流與合作。結(jié)合中央對非政策精神和協(xié)會實際工作，全國友協(xié)于2006年將推動中非地方合作確定為對非工作重點。

為加快推動中非地方交流與合作，2006年至2012年，全國友協(xié)采取了一系列具體措施：

2006年底，改組成立中非友協(xié)第四屆理事會，吸納全國大多數(shù)?。ㄗ灾螀^(qū)、直轄市、副省級城市）外辦或友協(xié)領(lǐng)導(dǎo)成為理事，整合國內(nèi)對非資源；

與非洲大多數(shù)國家的地方政府部和地方政府協(xié)會建立聯(lián)系，并邀請數(shù)十位地方政府部長和省市長訪華，鞏固在非洲地方政府網(wǎng)絡(luò)中的人脈基礎(chǔ)；

組織近70位非洲駐華使節(jié)赴10多個省市巡回演講，加深我國省市對非洲國家的認識與了解，增強其對中非地方合作的重視；

舉辦了3屆“非洲友好城市官員研修班”、9屆“中非地方政府合作研討會”等小規(guī)模的交流活動，為將中非地方合作向更大范圍和更深層次的機制化發(fā)展積累經(jīng)驗；

2012年8月27日，多年的積累化繭成蝶，首屆中非地方政府合作論壇在北京成功舉辦。時任國務(wù)院副總理李克強出席開幕式并作重要講話。中非雙方1000余名地方代表通過了《北京宣言》，確定每兩年舉辦一屆論壇大會。時任國務(wù)委員戴秉國在論壇閉幕式的講話中肯定了論壇機制。

2016年3月，第十七屆非洲駐華大使巡講活動在四川省成都市舉行。

成為中非地方合作的重要平臺

首屆論壇大會于2012年8月27日在北京舉行。時任國務(wù)院副總理李克強在開幕式講話中表示，中方將積極推動中非友好城市快速發(fā)展，為非洲培訓(xùn)更多的地方各類人才，促進雙方互派地方管理人員、企業(yè)家等各界人士到對方國家訪問交流。論壇還發(fā)表了《首屆中非地方政府合作論壇北京宣言》，簽署了7項友好城市協(xié)議和近20個經(jīng)貿(mào)協(xié)議。

第二屆論壇大會于2015年11月10日在北京舉行。中非地方官員、企業(yè)家等600名代表參加論壇會議。國務(wù)委員楊潔篪出席論壇開幕式并發(fā)表講話，表示首屆論壇召開以來開展的一系列交流活動促進了中非地方政府的務(wù)實合作和經(jīng)貿(mào)交流，增添了中非關(guān)系的內(nèi)涵，為中非關(guān)系的發(fā)展發(fā)揮了積極作用。與會代表圍繞“加強地方能力建設(shè)，推動中非產(chǎn)業(yè)對接，實現(xiàn)省市包容發(fā)展”的主題進行了深入討論。還舉辦了能源資源、基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施和農(nóng)業(yè)海洋經(jīng)濟等3個分論壇、一對一洽談及陜西省對非合作推介會。論壇務(wù)實高效，得到與會者的一致好評。

在論壇框架下，全國友協(xié)在兩屆論壇大會之間組織了一系列活動，發(fā)揮論壇在中非地方合作中的平臺作用。

論壇倡導(dǎo)的多邊交流

2012年12月，全國友協(xié)會長李小林率中國地方政府代表團出席在塞內(nèi)加爾舉行的第六屆非洲城市峰會，并在大會上發(fā)表演講，呼吁加強中非地方合作。

2012年12月，首屆中非省市長對話在塞內(nèi)加爾首都達喀爾舉行。來自我國7個省市和20多個非洲國家的約150名地方政府代表出席。雙方在農(nóng)業(yè)、礦產(chǎn)和投資等領(lǐng)域進行了深入交流。全國友協(xié)與塞內(nèi)加爾地方政府領(lǐng)導(dǎo)人聯(lián)合會簽署合作協(xié)議。

2013年6月，第二屆中非省市長對話在山東省舉行。19個非洲法語區(qū)國家的首都市市長、省區(qū)長等地方官員、經(jīng)貿(mào)界人士及非洲駐華使館外交官等100名非方代表和200余名中方代表應(yīng)邀參會。與會中非代表共簽署18個友好城市及經(jīng)貿(mào)合作協(xié)議。

2013年11月，中國—東共體國家省市長對話在烏干達首都坎帕拉舉行。烏干達總統(tǒng)穆塞維尼、副總統(tǒng)塞坎迪、東共體五國地方政府部部長、省市長和企業(yè)家等近200人參會。山東、遼寧、陜西等省領(lǐng)導(dǎo)率團與非洲代表進行雙邊或多邊交流20余次，簽署了9項合作備忘錄和意向書。

2015年5月，由肯尼亞楠迪郡、拉伊基匹亞郡及坦桑尼亞林迪省、濱海省、姆特瓦拉省、坦噶省等6位?。ぃ╅L率領(lǐng)的東非省長代表團一行19人應(yīng)全國友協(xié)邀請訪華，并赴西安參加由全國友協(xié)和陜西省主辦的“一帶一路”地方領(lǐng)導(dǎo)人對話會。6位?。ぃ╅L與與會代表一起簽署了《“一帶一路”地方領(lǐng)導(dǎo)人對話會西安聲明》。通過此訪，全國友協(xié)與肯尼亞郡長協(xié)會建立聯(lián)系。

2015年12月，第三屆中非省市長對話會在南非約翰內(nèi)斯堡舉行。全國友協(xié)副會長林怡，以及大連、南昌、景德鎮(zhèn)、棗莊、柳州等中國省市代表，塞內(nèi)加爾首都達喀爾市市長、南非約翰內(nèi)斯堡市市長陶，布隆方丹市市長馬尤尼，塞舌爾首都維多利亞市市長貝拉等十幾個非洲省市的代表近百人出席會議。與會代表就如何促進中非省市合作開展深入交流。

論壇倡導(dǎo)的雙邊交流

2012年11月，中國—肯尼亞省市長對話暨經(jīng)貿(mào)交流會在肯尼亞首都內(nèi)羅畢舉行。來自6個中國?。ㄗ灾螀^(qū)、直轄市）和15個肯尼亞城市的官員和企業(yè)家出席。雙方在水利灌溉、農(nóng)業(yè)種植、友好城市關(guān)系等領(lǐng)域達成合作意向。全國友協(xié)與肯尼亞地方政府協(xié)會、北京溫州企業(yè)商會與肯尼亞國家工商會分別簽署戰(zhàn)略合作協(xié)議。

2013年11月，首屆中國—坦桑尼亞省市長對話在坦首都達累斯薩拉姆舉行。坦總理平達、25位省長、企業(yè)家等400余人以及山東、遼寧和陜西3省副省長率領(lǐng)的地方政府代表團70余人與會。中坦雙方達成多個合作意向，將跟進落實具體項目。坦總理平達稱贊對話會對于加強兩國友好合作關(guān)系具有里程碑意義。

2014年6月，第二屆中坦省市長對話在遼寧省舉行。遼寧省14個地市領(lǐng)導(dǎo)、企業(yè)家與坦21位省市長等400余人參加了對話會并達成多個合作意向。

2014年11月底、12月初，肯尼亞瓦森?吉術(shù)郡郡長曼達戈、蒙巴薩郡副郡長奧貢德、肯參議院多數(shù)黨黨鞭、參議員艾拉奇和肯中友協(xié)主席孟遙等聯(lián)合率團訪華。代表團參加由全國友協(xié)主辦的“2014中國國際友好城市大會”，并分別在北京、西安和廣州舉行“肯尼亞經(jīng)貿(mào)投資推介會”，與中國企業(yè)在建材、交通和礦產(chǎn)等領(lǐng)域?qū)崿F(xiàn)合作。

自2007 年始，中非友好城市暨地方政府合作研討會已分別在中國、肯尼亞、埃塞俄比亞、馬里、貝寧、烏干達成功舉辦9屆。

2016年4月，首屆中國摩洛哥友誼論壇在摩洛哥首都拉巴特舉行。全國友協(xié)副會長林怡，以及沈陽、上海、廣州、吉林、浙江等省市代表，摩新聞大臣、高等教育大臣、拉巴特大區(qū)區(qū)長、拉巴特市市長等150余人出席了論壇。雙方主要就推動友好城市交往事宜進行探討。

2016年6月，全國友協(xié)邀請并接待由那瓦副主席率領(lǐng)的南非地方政府協(xié)會代表團訪華。通過此訪，雙方加強了在促進中南地方交流與合作方面的共識。

2016年8月，全國友協(xié)邀請接待尼日利亞州長論壇代表團訪華。代表團由尼州長論壇主席、贊法拉州州長阿卜杜?亞里率領(lǐng)，成員包括高原州州長、吉加瓦州州長、奧遜州州長、阿南布拉州州長、三角州州長、阿達馬瓦州和包奇州代表以及論壇代理秘書長，代表了尼六大地緣政治區(qū)。通過此訪，尼州長對全國友協(xié)友城和中非地方政府合作論壇工作有了更多了解，表達出與中方省市締結(jié)友好關(guān)系的愿望。同時，也加強了友協(xié)與尼州長論壇兩個機構(gòu)之間的合作。

2016年6月，全國友協(xié)邀請并接待了馬拉維市長代表團一行9人訪華。代表團由馬拉維地方政府部地方政府服務(wù)司司長達卡茂率領(lǐng)，成員包括利隆圭市市長和布蘭太爾、松巴、姆祖祖3市副市長等。訪華期間，利隆圭市表達了希與合肥市締結(jié)友城的愿望。來訪城市代表表達了加強與中國城市在城市規(guī)劃、農(nóng)業(yè)發(fā)展、基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施建設(shè)、市政管理、城市治理與法制建設(shè)等方面交流與合作的愿望。

2016年9月，中尼地方政府經(jīng)貿(mào)對話會在尼日利亞阿布賈舉行。中非友協(xié)會長阿不來提?阿不都熱西提、全國友協(xié)副會長林怡以及來自江西省、遼寧省、吉林省長春市、四川省巴中市和尼三角州、奧遜州、阿比亞州、伊莫州的地方政府官員及企業(yè)家共150余人出席了會議。雙方就推動兩國地方政府交流及經(jīng)貿(mào)合作發(fā)表意見，就投資熱點問題進行深入交流，并發(fā)表《中尼省市合作宣言》。

幫扶論壇搭建企業(yè)間合作

2013年3月，全國友協(xié)副會長馮佐庫率團訪問加蓬，推動論壇合作企業(yè)中國中交集團承接加蓬讓蒂爾港和曼吉島保稅區(qū)項目。

2013年4月，論壇支持企業(yè)北京地豪礦業(yè)公司首赴加納考察金礦開采項目。經(jīng)過3年多努力，該公司與加納國土資源部及地質(zhì)調(diào)查局簽署了覆蓋上萬平方公里的黃金與金剛石勘探開發(fā)協(xié)議。

論壇經(jīng)驗分享

學(xué)習(xí)中國對非政策文件（2006年）以領(lǐng)會國家對非政策精神，研究中非合作論壇北京峰會以厘清對非工作脈絡(luò)，改組中非友協(xié)理事會、與非洲國家地方政府部和省市等開展互訪以整合國內(nèi)外人脈、信息等資源，組織友好城市官員研修班和地方政府合作研討會等活動積累經(jīng)驗。通過各項舉措，為論壇的成功召開打下堅實基礎(chǔ)，為其機制化發(fā)展增強底蘊。

加強與企業(yè)界、學(xué)術(shù)界的互動。舉辦論壇面臨的主要問題是資金短缺。多年來，全國友協(xié)通過組織各種活動，如中非友好貢獻獎、高級別團組的接待和出訪等，為企業(yè)搭建平臺，與企業(yè)界建立了良好關(guān)系。兩屆論壇大會的大部分資金都來自企業(yè)贊助。

論壇發(fā)展中面臨的另一個問題是智力短缺。要讓活動更成功，解決中非省市的關(guān)切，必須借助外腦。所以我們在論壇框架下成立專家委員會，吸收政府、學(xué)術(shù)和經(jīng)濟等各界智囊精英近20人，為論壇活動提供智力支持。

注重研究中非省市的關(guān)切，以此為依據(jù)設(shè)計籌劃各類活動。當前國內(nèi)各省市希望在經(jīng)貿(mào)領(lǐng)域加強與非洲省市之間的合作，尤其是推動優(yōu)勢產(chǎn)能進入非洲，而非方省市也希望能通過與中國省市之間的合作提高當?shù)氐墓I(yè)化和農(nóng)業(yè)現(xiàn)代化水平。有鑒于此，全國友協(xié)在論壇大會以及后續(xù)活動中，注意在活動內(nèi)容中充分體現(xiàn)雙方關(guān)切，以此來保證論壇機制化的有效運行。

2016年8月，“2016中非青年大聯(lián)歡”在廣州舉行，進一步增進了中非青年友誼。

論壇的下一步發(fā)展

繼續(xù)完善區(qū)域性省市長對話，組織分行業(yè)和領(lǐng)域的地方政府交流活動。繼續(xù)搭建區(qū)域性省市長合作平臺，如組織中國—非洲葡萄牙語國家省市長對話，中國-東南部非洲發(fā)展共同體省市長對話等。為使中非地方合作向更加務(wù)實的方向發(fā)展，計劃組織分行業(yè)和領(lǐng)域的交流活動，如工業(yè)合作、農(nóng)業(yè)現(xiàn)代化、技術(shù)人材培養(yǎng)、文化交流等。

加強中非省市在管理經(jīng)驗、優(yōu)勢產(chǎn)品和服務(wù)等方面的交流與推介。中非省市互有適合于對方發(fā)展的管理經(jīng)驗、優(yōu)勢產(chǎn)品和服務(wù)等，全國友協(xié)將以論壇為平臺，結(jié)合中非省市已有的各類展會會議，組織城市管理研討會、優(yōu)勢產(chǎn)品和服務(wù)推介會等，使中非地方政府之間的合作更加密切和務(wù)實。

建立一個泛中國大部分省（自治區(qū)、直轄市）和非洲大多數(shù)國家的地方交流互聯(lián)網(wǎng)體系。通過這個體系，中非各省市可以縮短溝通時間，減少溝通成本，提高溝通效率。作為第一步，全國友協(xié)希望與國內(nèi)各省市先建立一個即時聯(lián)系網(wǎng)絡(luò)。由全國友協(xié)和各省（自治區(qū)、直轄市）外辦或友協(xié)指定中非地方合作聯(lián)絡(luò)員，借助即時通訊軟件和電子郵件等技術(shù)手段，即時發(fā)布各類合作信息、意見、建議等，形成一個更為緊密、高效的橫向和縱向聯(lián)系網(wǎng)絡(luò)。

（全國友協(xié)亞非工作部供稿、供圖）

Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation (hereinafter referred to as Forum) is a sub-forum within the framework of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, aiming at the promotion of exchanges and cooperation between China and Africa local governments. Organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (hereinafter referred to as CPAFFC), the forum strives for developing relations with Africa with sincerity, real results, affi nity and good faith, devotes to benefiting the people with the achievements made by the China-Africa cooperation, and consolidates the basis of China-Africa friendship.

The Origin and Background of the Forum

China’s African Policy Paper released in January of 2006 and Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan (2007-2009) in November of the same year both shows that China's government attaches importance to the exchanges between local governments of China and African countries, vigorously supports twin province/state and twin city relationship aimed at facilitating bilateral exchanges and cooperation in local development and administration.

Entrusted by the government, CPAFFC is in charge of coordinating and overseeing the work of establishing and developing friendship-city relations between China and other countries and promoting exchanges and cooperation between their localities and cities. Based on the principles of central government’s African policies and practical work of association, CPAFFC takes the promotion of China-Africa local cooperation as the focus of work toward Africa in 2006.

A series of work have been made by CPAFFC between 2006 and 2012 to facilitate the China-Africa local exchanges and cooperation:

Reorganized and established the 4th Council of Chinese-African People's Friendship Association at the end of 2006, which invited the leaders of Foreign Affairs Offi ces or Friendship Associations in most of provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities, subprovincial cities) as members to integrate the domestic resources relating to Africa.

Established relationship with local governments and associations in most African countries and invited dozens of ministers and administrators of the local government to visit China, which consolidated the connection network in the Africa local governments.

Organized 70 African diplomats in China to deliver speeches in more than ten provinces and cities, which deepened Chinese local governments’ understanding of African countries and attached their more importance to the China-Africa local cooperation.

Organized small-scale activities like the 3rd Seminar for Offi cials from Friendship Cities of African Countries, the 9th Seminar on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation, etc., in order to accumulate experiences for a wider and deeper mechanism development in China-Africa local cooperation.

In August 2016, 2016 China-Africa Youth Party was held in Guangzhou. Image from: Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC)

On August 27, 2012, as the result of efforts in the past few years, the 1st Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation was successfully held in Beijing. Li Keqiang, then vice premier of State Council, attended the opening ceremony and deliveredkey speeches. More than 1,000 local representatives from both China and Africa approved the Beijing Declaration, which stipulates the biennial sessions of the forum. Dai Bingguo, then State Councilor, affirmed the forum mechanism in his closing ceremony speech.

Become an important platform for China-Africa local cooperation

The 1st Forum was held in Beijing on August 27, 2012. Li Keqiang, then vice premier of State Council, revealed in his opening ceremony speech that China will work to accelerate the development of China-Africa sister cities and train more professionals for Africa. China will promote the exchange between local managerial staff, entrepreneurs and people from various sectors from each side to enhance mutual learning. The forum also reveals the Beijing Declaration of the 1st Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation. 7 friendship cities agreements and 20 economic and trade agreement were signed during the forum.

The 2nd Forum was held in Beijing on November 10, 2015. 600 local officials and entrepreneurs from China and Africa attended the forum. Yang Jiechi, the State Councilor, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. He said that a series of exchange activities held since the 1st forum have resulted more pragmatic cooperation and economic and trade exchanges, and also brought substantial contents into the development of the China-Africa relationship. Participants had in-depth discussions on topics like local capacity building, China-Africa industrial cooperation, as well as inclusive growth in provinces and cities. Activities like three sub-forums, which focus on energy resources, infrastructures and agricultural and oceanic economy respectively, one-on-one discussing meeting, along with promotion meeting on Shannxi-Africa cooperation have been held. The forum has been highly appreciated by all participants.

Within the framework of the forum, CPAFFC have fulfi lled its role in providing platforms for the China-Africa local cooperation by organizing a series of activities between two forums.

Multilateral Communication

In December, 2012, President Li Xiaolin, heading a delegation of representatives from local governments, attended the 6th Africities Summit in Dakar, and delivered a speech at the summit appealing for a stronger China-Africa local cooperation.

In December, 2012, the 1st Dialogue for Chinese and African Governors and Mayors was held in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal. 150 representatives from 7 China’s provinces and over 20 African countries attended the Dialogue. Both sides have an in-depth communication over areas like agriculture, minerals and investment. CPAFFC has singed cooperation agreement with Senegal Local Government Leaders Union.

In June, 2013, the 2nd Dialogue for Chinese and African Governors and Mayors was held in Shandong Province. 100 African representatives including local offi cials such as mayors and governors of the capital cities, provinces and prefectures from 19 French-speaking African countries, fi gures in economy and trade circles, diplomats of Embassies of African countries in China, together with over 200 representatives from China were invited to the Dialogue. 18 agreements on friendship cities and economy and trade cooperation were signed by both representatives.

In November, 2013, Dialogue of Mayors and Governors of China and East African Community(EAC) was held in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. H.E. Mr. Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda, Mr. Edward Sekandi, Vice President of Uganda, the Ministers of Local Government from EAC countries and the mayors and businessmen from China and EAC, totaling about 200 guests, attended the Dialogue. Headed by the leaders from provinces like Shandong, Liaoning, and Shannxi, the delegations conducted multilateral or bilateral communications with African representatives over 20 times, and signed 9 memorandums and letters of intents for cooperation.

In May, 2015, 19 representatives of the East African Governors Delegation, headed by the governors of Nandi County, Laikipia County in Kenya and Lindi Region, Pwani Region, Mtwara Region and Tanga Region in Tanzania, were invited to visit China and went to Xi’an for The Belt and Road Local Leaders’Dialogue held by CPAFFC and Shaanxi Province. Six governors has signed The Belt and Road Local Leaders’s Dialogue: Xi’an Declaration together with the representatives attended. Through the visit, CPAFFC established connections with the Council of Governors Kenya.

In December, 2015, the 3rd China-Africa Mayors Dialogue was held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Hundreds of representatives attended the Dialogue, including Lin Yi, vice president of CPAFFC, the China’s local representatives from Dalian, Nanchang, Jingdezhen, Zaozhuang, Liuzhou, etc., Mayor of Dakar (the capital city of Senegal), Mr. Parks Tau, Mayor of Johannesburg, Mr. Thabo Manyoni, Mayor of Bloemfontein, Ms. Jacqueline Belle, Mayor of Victoria (capital city of Seychelles), as well as local government representatives from dozens of African countries. The representatives attended had an indepth communication over the approaches for China-Africacooperation.

Bilateral Communication

In November, 2012, China-Kenya Mayors Dialogue and Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference were held in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. Officials and businessmen from 6 Chinese provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) and 15 Kenyan cities attended. Both sides have reached intents of cooperation over areas like irrigation, farming, and friendship cities relationship. CPAFFC and Wenzhou Enterprises Chamber of Commerce in Beijing have signed strategic cooperation agreement with Association of Local Governments Authorities of Kenya and Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry respectively.

In November, 2013, the 1st China-Tanzania Mayors Dialogue was held in Dar es Salaam, the capital city of Tanzania. 400 representatives from Tanzania, including Mizengo Pinda, the Prime Minister of Tanzania, 25 governors and businessman, and a local government delegation of 70 representatives led by Vice Governors from Shandong, Liaoning and Shannxi Province. Both sides reached intents over multiple areas, and specific projects would follow up. Prime Minister Pinda thought highly of the Dialogue, saying it is a milestone for the strengthening of bilateral cooperation.

In June, 2014, the 2nd China-Tanzania Mayors Dialogue was held in Liaoning Province. Leaders and businessmen from 14 cities of Liaoning Province and 21 governors of Tanzania, totaling about 400 representatives, attended the Dialogue. Intents of cooperation over multiple areas have been reached.

At the end of November and the beginning of December, 2014, a delegation led by Jackson Mandago, governor of Uasin Gishu county, Hazel Ezabel Nyamoki Ogunde, the deputy governor of Mombasa County, Beatrice Elachi, Whip of the Majority Party and Senator, and Michael Munyao, Chairman of Kenya - China Friendship Association visited China. The delegation attended China International Friendship Conference 2014 hosted by CPAFFC and Kenya Economic and Trade Investment Meeting held in Beijing, Xi’an and Guangzhou, where they established cooperation with Chinese enterprises on building materials, transportation and mineral industry.

In April, 2016, the 1st China-Morocco Friendship Forum was held in Rabat, the capital city of Morocco. Lin Yi, Vice President of CPAFFC, led a delegation of representatives from provinces and cities like Shenyang, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Jilin, Zhejiang, etc., to attend the forum. Representatives from Morocco include Minister of Communication and Spokesman of the government, Minister of Higher Education, Scientifi c Research and Training, Governor of Rabat-Salé-Kenitra Region, Mayor of Rabat city, and so on. About 150 participants from China and Morocco held discussions on promoting friendship city relationship during the forum.

In June, 2016, CPAFFC invited the delegation of South Africa Local Government Association headed by its Vice Chairman Cllr. Kebitsamang Mpho Nawa to visit China. Through the visit, both sides reached agreements on the further strengthening of China-South Africa local exchange and cooperation.

In August, 2016, CPAFFC invited the delegation of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum(NGF), headed by H.E. Mr. Abudul Yari, the NGF Chairman and Governor of Zamfara State, to visit China. The delegation also consists of governors of Plateau State, Jigawa State, Osun State, Anambra State, Delta State, Adamawa State, Bauchi State, as well as NGF Acting Director General, which represented the six geo-political regions of Nigeria. Through the visit, the governors of Nigeria furthered their understanding of work done by CPAFFC and Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation, and showed their wills of establishing friendship with China’s provinces and cities. Furthermore, the visit also enhanced the cooperation between CPAFFC and NGF.

In June, 2016, CPAFFC invited the 9-member Malawian Mayors’ Delegation to visit China. The delegation was led by Mr. Kiswell Dakamau, Director of Local Government Service of the Malawian Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. The delegation includes Mayor of Lilongwe, Deputy Mayor of Blantyre, Deputy Mayor of Zomba and Deputy Mayor of Mzuzu, etc. During the visit, the Mayor of Lilongwe showed his will of establishing friendship cities with Hefei. The representatives from the visiting cities expressed their expectation to exchange and cooperate with China’s cities over areas like urban planning, agriculture, infrastructure construction, municipal administration, urban governance, legal construction, and so on.

In September, 2016, Nigeria-China Local Government and Business Dialogue was held in Abuja, Nigeria. H.E. Mr. Abdul’ahat Abdurixit, President of the the Chinese-African People’s Friendship Association, Mrs. Lin Yi, the Vice President of CPAFFC, local government officials and businessmen from Jiangxi Province, Liaoning Province, Changchun city of Jilin Province, Bazhong City of Sichuan Province and Delta State, Osun State, Abia State and Imo State of Nigeria, totaling over 150 participants attended the dialogue. Both sides exchanged views on promoting bilateral local government communication and business cooperation, held in-depth discussion on investment hotspot issues, and released the Declaration on Cooperation by Nigeria-China States and Cities.

Assisting the Cooperative Enterprises of Forum

In March, 2013, Mr. Feng Zuoku, the Vice President of CPAFFC, led a delegation to visit The Republic of Gabon to facilitate the project of Mandji Tax Free Zone in Port Gentil City, which is undertaken by China Communications Construction Company Limited, a cooperative enterprise of Forum.

In April, 2013, Beijing Dihao Holding, a supportive enterprise of Forum, conducted their fi rst visit to Ghana to investigate the gold mining projects. With the efforts for over three years, exploration and development deals of gold and diamond mines covering an area of one thousand square kilometers have been signed with Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources of Ghana and the Ghana Geological Survey Department.

Experience Sharing

To learn China’s African Policy Paper(2006) to understand nation’s policy toward Africa; to study on the Beijing Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to get a clear idea of work toward Africa; to reorganize the Council of Chinese-African People's Friendship Association; to integrate resources like connection and information both abroad and at home by mutual visiting at ministerial and provincial level between China and Africa; to accumulate experiences through seminars attended by offi cials from friendship cities and focusing on local government cooperation. These various approaches will finally lay a solid foundation for a successful forum and bring more to the development of forum mechanism.

To increase interaction with business and academic circles. For years, CFAPPA has hosted various activities, such as China-Africa Friendship Award, the reception and sending of highlevel delegations, to build platform for the enterprises. Therefore, CFAPPA gets along with the business circle, and two forums are largely sponsored by the enterprises.

Another challenge getting in the way of the development of forum is the lack of intellectual support. It is inevitable to be with the help of “another brain” – the outside intellectual resources for a more successful forum and dealing with the concerns from provinces and cities in China and Africa. Therefore, a committee of experts, which includes nearly 20 intellectuals and elites from government, academy and business world, is established within the forum to provide intellectual support for the forum.

To pay attention to the concerns from provinces and cities in China and Africa, based on which various activities are planned. It is the hope of the provinces and cities at home for a stronger economic and trade cooperation with the African counterparts and more accesses for their advantageous productivity into the Africa. On the contrary, it is also the wish of the provinces and cities in Africa for the cooperation with their Chinese counterparts to level up their industrialization and agricultural modernization. To this end, CPAFFC will take care of the concerns from both sides in the planning of the forum and activities that follow, which is helpful for an effective forum mechanism.

Future Work of the Forum

To continue the improvement of regional governors dialogue and organize communication activities for local governments according to industries and fields.To continue the building of platform for cooperation between regional mayors and governors, such as China and Portuguese-speaking African Countries Governors Dialogue, China and Southwestern African Development Community Governors Dialogue, etc.For a more pragmatic development of China-Africa local cooperation, communication activities are organized according to industries and fields, for example, industrial cooperation, agricultural modernization, technical personnel training, cultural exchange, etc.

To strengthen the exchanges and promotion of China and African provinces and cities over management experiences, advantageous products and services, etc.Provinces and cities in China and Africa both boost management experiences, advantageous products and services, etc., which are benefi cial for each other’s development. Therefore, combining with the existing conventions and taking the forum as the platform, CPAFFC plans to host seminars on management experiences, advantageous products and services, etc. to further the cooperation between China and Africa local government.

To establish an Internet network for local communication between most of China’s provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) and African countries.Through the network, provinces and cities in China and Africa can achieve less time and cost but higher effi ciency in communication with each other. As the first step in building the network, CPAFFC hopes to work with provinces and cities at home to establish an instant communication network. Via technologies like instant messaging software or e-mails, CPAFFC, provincial Foreign Affairs Offi ces or liaisons of China-Africa Local Cooperation designated by CPAFFC can release cooperation information, suggestions and recommendations here and now. And this can contribute to a highly-interlinked and more effective communication network horizontally and vertically.

（Provided by Department of Asian & African Affairs of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries）

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