Building bonds beyond borders

The audience cheered as Khalid El Fataoui, representative of the Mayor of Marrakesh, Morocco, held up a football jersey during a panel discussion and declared, "Through cooperation with China, we are ready."

El Fataoui, who is also president of the Morocco-China Association for Cultural and Economic Promotion, made the gesture at the China-Africa Salon on Cooperation Between Friendship Cities and Ports, held on 27 May in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. The event brought together more than 200 representatives from Chinese and African sister cities and ports. Focusing on green and smart ports, as well as port-industry-city integration, the salon formed part of the 10th Maritime Silk Road Port Cooperation Forum.

Fataoui was referring to China's support in improving Morocco's infrastructure, including ports and roads, helping to prepare the country to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. As a sister city of Ningbo, Marrakesh has become an important link in local-level exchanges between China and Morocco.

In recent years, Ningbo has become an increasingly important hub for China-Africa cooperation. The city now has seven sister cities in Africa, while Ningbo-Zhoushan Port has become a key platform for China-Africa maritime cooperation.

Wu Changpan, deputy general manager of Zhejiang Seaport Group and Ningbo-Zhoushan Port Group, said Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is ready to expand cooperation with African countries by sharing its experience in areas such as port automation and green transformation.

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port remains the world's busiest port by cargo throughput, Wu said. Last year, it handled a record 1.4 billion tonnes of cargo, ranking first globally for the 17th consecutive year.

"The growth of the port reflects rising global demand for Chinese goods, including from Africa, creating greater opportunities for cooperation between Chinese and African ports," he said.

Green transition

In recent years, the port has accelerated its green transition under China's carbon reduction goals. It has built the country's largest port-based wind and solar power cluster, generating more than 100 million kwh of green electricity annually. More than 95 percent of its large port machinery now operates on clean energy.

The port has established a one-stop green fuel service system, offering liquefied natural gas, biofuel oil and green methanol bunkering services. Its biofuel bunkering volume ranks first nationwide. It has also promoted low-carbon shipping corridors, including Zhejiang's first low-carbon smart inland waterway demonstration corridor, and launched the world's largest pure electric intelligent cargo vessel.

"Future cooperation should focus on technology sharing to promote green transition and the integrated development of ports, industries and cities," Wu said.

Evelyne Tchichelle, president of the Departmental and Municipal Council of Pointe-Noire and mayor of Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo, emphasised the role of ports in industrial growth, urban development and regional connectivity. She said Pointe-Noire, a major transport hub in Central Africa, is seeking to transform itself into a smarter, greener and more industry-oriented port.

"We aim to become an exemplary port in Africa, and that's where we see great potential in cooperating with China," she said.

Zero tariffs

The salon also examined the impact of China's zero-tariff policy for the 53 African countries that maintain diplomatic relations with China. Participants noted that the policy goes beyond trade and could inject new momentum into Africa’s industrialisation while strengthening ties between Chinese and African sister cities and ports.

"The policy will support Africa's transition from being primarily a supplier of raw materials and contribute to its long-term autonomous development," said Phoebe Namulindwa, resident district commissioner of Uganda's Kassanda District.

She added that the policy demonstrates China's sincerity towards Africa at a time when protectionism is rising in many parts of the world.

Xing Huidong, vice president of the Zhejiang People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said the zero-tariff policy would also benefit Chinese consumers. Having lived in Guinea for several years, he was impressed by the quality of local products such as cashew nuts and seafood, and believes the policy will bring more premium African products to the Chinese market.

Zhejiang is well positioned to expand imports from Africa, Xing said. "The province ranks first among China's provinces in per-capita consumer spending and accounts for about 15 percent of the country's trade with Africa."

He also highlighted Zhejiang's strengths in the advanced manufacturing and digital economy sectors, as well as its extensive presence in Africa through about 700 Zhejiang-invested enterprises. To fully realise the benefits of the zero-tariff policy, he called for expanding exports of high-quality African products and deepening industrial chain integration between the two sides.

More than trade

Beninese entrepreneur Abel Ago, founder of Green Pigeon, an international trading company based in Ningbo, has witnessed the growth of China-Africa economic cooperation firsthand.

Ago arrived in China in 2011. After studying Chinese in Beijing for a year, he enrolled at Ningbo University, where he completed a master's degree before earning a doctorate. Recognising the advantages of Ningbo's proximity to Ningbo-Zhoushan Port and its supportive business environment, he founded Green Pigeon in 2015.

The company's name symbolises peace and trust. In its early years, Green Pigeon exported Chinese consumer goods, including laundry detergent, liquid detergent and tissue paper, to Benin, where they were distributed to neighbouring countries. These products helped Ago to establish his business.

As market demand evolved, the company upgraded its business model. Solar panels, lithium batteries and solar-powered backpacks are now among the growing range of Chinese products entering African markets through Green Pigeon.

Today, Green Pigeon no longer simply exports Chinese products to Africa. The company is engaging in local manufacturing and processing operations in industrial parks using Chinese equipment.

Having expanded from trading consumer goods to supporting local manufacturing, Ago said at the salon that the zero-tariff policy is an opportunity to accelerate industrialisation across the continent.

As China and Africa deepen cooperation in trade and industry, ports are increasingly serving as platforms for technological exchange, green development and people-to-people ties.

The salon demonstrated that cooperation between Chinese and African ports is evolving beyond cargo transport to encompass urban development, industrial integration and entrepreneurship. From smart port management and low-carbon shipping to local manufacturing and business partnerships, both sides are exploring new pathways for shared growth.

As ships continue to cross the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic, connections between Chinese and African ports and cities are growing stronger, opening new opportunities for sustainable development on both sides.