On April 15, themed "New Youth in the New Era: We Grow Together with China," the 2nd Forum on International Students from Africa was held in Beijing. Zhao Zhimin, Secretary General of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. Li Xinfeng, Executive President of the China-Africa Institute (CASS), hosted the opening ceremony. Zhao emphasized that the ties between the African and Chinese peoples have deep historical roots. Despite the vast distances separating the two, they have always been a community with a shared future. Throughout the long history of China-Africa relations, youth exchange and cooperation have been an important part of their sincere friendship. Since the 21st century, especially in the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Chinese and African youth have played a crucial role in realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation and the African Dream of modernization and regional integration.
Zhang Zhengwen, President of the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, stated that this forum represents another vivid practice of uniting Chinese and African youth and building a China-Africa community with a shared future. He hoped that African students would further understand China through the forum and become active participants and leaders in promoting China-Africa friendship, injecting new vitality into China-Africa cooperation.
Over 30 student representatives from 16 African countries, along with nearly 100 experts, scholars, and students from domestic universities and research institutions, participated in the forum. This included representatives of African students from UCASS, H.E. Tefera Derbew, the Ethiopian Ambassador to China, and H.E. Kumba Monday, the South Sudanese Ambassador to China. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as "Upholding the Concept of Common Development for the Benefit of China-Africa People," "Mutual Learning and Modernization between China and Africa," and "Creating a Harmonious Public Opinion Environment to Highlight a Positive International Image."
