Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met with Chairman of Sudan's Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

In Nairobi, the bustling capital of Kenya, one name is widely known and revered - Mr. Wifi. This nickname refers to Zhou Tao, the founder of Ahadi Corporation. Zhou's company is dedicated to offering affordable internet services and stands as a shining example of how China's "small and beautiful" livelihood projects are elevating China-Africa ties.
In 2020, Zhou and his team set sail on an ambitious digital odyssey with their visionary project, Konnect Internet. By integrating Wifi technology with the local optical fiber network, they brought cost-effective wireless broadband network services to local communities where high-speed internet remains a luxury rather than a necessity.

For many Kenyans, the digital divide seemed too wide to surmount. A family of three in Nairobi might spend around $25 per month on internet services, which is a big amount for households earning between $100 and $400 monthly.

However, Konnect Internet is trying to change the situation. 

By offering 50 gigabytes (GB) of data for $5 per month, it provides internet access at a rate much cheaper than what has been previously available. This groundbreaking affordability has greatly reduced the financial burden on Nairobi's low-to-middle-income families, giving them access to the vast and exciting world of the internet.

Small projects, big impact

In recent years, Chinese-funded "small and beautiful" livelihood projects in Africa have captured the spotlight alongside flagship megaprojects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). From nurturing agricultural innovation to boosting digital technology and green energy, these efforts have reaped tangible economic and social benefits, accelerating Africa's modernization.

Zhou told the Global Times that his firm has created over 5,000 jobs for local communities. "As of August, we have attracted more than 1.2 million users," he said, adding that he expects their service to reach more than 10 million people in Kenya and expand to 10 other African countries within the next five years.

"China's technology edge, large-scale production advantages, and the backing of BRI policies, coupled with Africa's immense market potential, has create a fertile ground for Chinese firms to achieve further growth on the continent," Zhou added.

Zhou's vision goes well beyond mere connectivity, embracing a wide range of local innovations. His company has also introduced a user-friendly community e-commerce platform and logistics services. 

Among their developments is a shared water dispenser that pairs high-flux water filters with QR code payments, giving residents easy access to clean, affordable drinking water. Additionally, they are creating a free mobile payment system to further promote digital transactions and improve financial accessibility.

Zhou's forward-thinking efforts not only tackle the immediate needs of residents while paving the way for a more interconnected and efficient community.

Countless stories like Mr.Wifi are quietly blooming across this vast land of hope, weaving together a rich tapestry of mutually beneficial China-Africa economic cooperation and painting a vibrant picture of shared prosperity.

In 2020, Li Yi, a former McKinsey consultant, traded her high-flying career for the sun-drenched fields of Kenya. With a vision as grand as the African horizon, she co-founded FarmWorks, an ambitious agricultural venture dedicated to empowering local smallholder farmers.

FarmWorks offers services from seeds and fertilizers to cutting-edge cultivation techniques and sales support, creating a complete agricultural value chain. This initiative has not only equipped local farmers with modern farming practices and boosted their household incomes but also successfully allowed them to export premium produce.

Li told the Global Times that she aspires to unlock the vast local market with a scalable, sustainable business model in Kenya.

"Our self-operated farm stands as a 'demonstration field' for skills training, conducting plant research, testing the latest technologies, installing equipment, and prepping our staff," Li said, adding that if successful, the model will be introduced to their partner smallholders.

Starting a business in Africa is no easy feat, but it's a thrilling journey full of opportunities, Li said. She proudly highlighted their pioneering work last year - partnering with the International Potato Center to build Africa's first solar-powered sweet potato storage facility.

"The facility uses solar energy and a water recycling system for power to maintain sweet potato quality. This sustainable innovation has been both exciting and deeply rewarding for me." Li told the Global Times.

Capacity building

A recent report from China-Africa industry groups reveals that Chinese investment in Africa is shifting from traditional sectors like manufacturing and infrastructure to emerging fields such as healthcare, logistics, e-commerce, and agricultural processing.

This transition demonstrates that China-Africa economic cooperation under the BRI goes beyond relocating outdated industries; it focuses on forging innovative solutions tailored to the unique contexts and needs of both regions, according to the report.

African countries have witnessed a rising demand for technology transfer and capacity building in recent years, aligning with Chinese investment trends and BRI's broader objective of empowering locals through knowledge sharing and skill development, Zhang Jian, president of the Zambia Overseas Chinese Association told the Global Times.

Kassim Mohamed, a young Kenyan who once faced unemployment, set his new life path when a Chinese company in Kenya, Huawen Food, offered him a job. He pointed to the concrete benefits of such investment, noting that "Chinese companies have brought in lots of jobs, increased people's paychecks, and boosted local businesses, from hotels to shops."

In 2022, China gave green light to the import of wild Kenyan aquatic products that meet customs requirements, paving the way for stronger China-Arica blue economy cooperation. 

Riding the wave, Jinzai Food Corporation, the parent company of Huawen Food, set up a seafood processing factory in Kenya, bringing in advanced production methods and technologies to help cultivate the local industry chain and boost local employment. In 2023, this factory created over 150 local jobs, the company said. 

Now, the gateway to China-Africa blue economy cooperation is being opened further. 

China has partnered with nearly 20 African nations in aquaculture and commercial fishing, producing around 300,000 tons of seafood annually. Official projections show that by 2030, Africa's blue economy is poised to surge to $405 billion.

Mwangi Wachira, former economist at the World Bank and advisor to the Government of Kenya, told the Global Times that Africa, with its young population, expanding middle class, and abundant natural resources in high demand, is becoming a major driver of the global economy.

'Blue ocean' market

Transsion, China's mobile phone manufacturer, exemplifies Wachira's insights through its remarkable success in Africa. From the vibrant streets of Nairobi to the bustling neighborhoods of Lagos, the largest port city of Nigeria, Transsion's advertisements are impossible to miss.

In the second quarter of this year, the company captured more than 40 percent of the African smartphone market, maintaining its crown as the top player, according to data from market research firm Canalys.

This notable success can largely be attributed to the company's push for deep-rooted localization to meet the unique needs of the African market. "We have developed a local data production system that is both affordable and top-notch, powering multilingual voice assistants and translation tools," Arif Chowdhury, co-founder of Transsion Holdings, told the Global Times.

Transsion's supply chain, sales network, and after-sales service are also highly localized, with over 90 percent of its African workforce being local, according to Chowdhury. 

"Africa is the world's last 'blue ocean' market with over a billion people and a continent with the youngest population structure," Chowdhury noted, saying that the sweeping global digital transition is uncovering bright growth prospects for Africa's mobile internet industry.

From lush rice fields to the deep blue sea and the digital tech frontier, China-Africa economic cooperation is thriving across a wide range of sectors. This partnership vividly embodies the common aspirations and tireless efforts of both sides to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

China announced on Thursday its ten new partnership actions to jointly advance modernization with Africa, including a commitment to launch 1,000 "small and beautiful" livelihood projects across the continent in the coming years.

Trailblazers like Zhou and Li have felt the vibrant pulse of the African market and are gearing up to make their even deeper mark in this land of hope. 

"Africa is not a place where you can just snap your fingers and strike it rich," Li said, adding that she is nevertheless thrilled to tackle new challenges and is deeply inspired by the chance to make a real difference in local people's lives.

"For me, entering Africa means more than business, it's about having the patience and determination to truly put down roots in this promising land," Li said.

Grain enterprises across China's major agricultural provinces have purchased more than 60 million tons of summer grain now, an increase of approximately 4 million tons year-on-year, the Xinhua News Agency reported, citing the latest data released by the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration.

The purchase volume has remained at a relatively high level over the recent years, the report said.

The progress of summer grain purchases is proceeding smoothly. Wheat purchases in Central China's Henan and Hubei provinces, and East China's Jiangsu and Anhui provinces are nearing completion, while the progress in North China's Hebei Province, East China's Shandong Province, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is between 70 to 80 percent.

And the early indica rice purchases in Central China's Hunan Province and East China's Jiangxi Province have almost come to an end.

This year, the government continued to implement the minimum purchase price policy in the major wheat and rice producing regions, effectively guiding grain purchases by grain enterprises, Li Guoxiang, a researcher from the Rural Development Institute, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday.

“This policy played a crucial role in preventing difficulties for farmers in selling their grain and curbing excessive price drops, making a significant and successful contribution to the summer grain purchases,” Li said.

The initial forecast for the 2024 summer grain purchases was approximately 70 million tons, a slight increase compared to 2023, people.cn reported in May, citing Tang Cheng, an official with the administration.

China's output of summer grain totaled 149.78 million tons in 2024, an increase of 3.63 million tons, or 2.5 percent, over the 2023 level, the National Bureau of Statistics said on July 12.

Although extreme weather events have become more frequent in recent years, “their impact on China’s grain production has been limited,” Li said.

The expectation of a bumper grain output throughout the year has not changed, Li noted.

The School of Future Technology under Tianjin University has recently opened a new major specializing in brain-computer interfaces (BCI), with a major recruitment process underway, the Global Times learned. It marks the first Chinese university to do so, as the development of BCI technology has entered a critical stage of innovation breakthrough and application expansion and China is therefore in a thirst for “diversified, interdisciplinary” talent, the university said in a statement shared with the Global Times on Friday. 

The new program adopts a “secondary selection” from the new students enrolled in Tianjin University. The selection procedures include comprehensive test and experts’ interview, and admissions will be based on the combined results from those processes. 

In terms of the curriculum, the new BCI major will provide lessons involving medicine, electrical and information engineering, covering the entire industrial chain from the basic theory underpinning BCI, related device systems as well as translation and market application, the statement read.  

The program will also adopt a unique training model through research training and collaborative education training between academia and industry companies. It aims to cultivate a new generation of engineers and scientists who possess the ability to design, manufacture, and develop future bio-intelligent electronic interfaces, and who can lead the advancement of China’s BCI technology and industry development.

BCI is one of several cutting-edged tech fields at the forefront of global technology. 

Industry insiders said that at the current stage, individual countries are still developing core BCI technology and tentatively applying it in commercial settings. China has an edge in areas such as core component device, and it is expected that with government policy support and concerted efforts, as well as an amassing talent pool, the country will achieve breakthrough in certain directions such as non-invasive BCI technology.

In July, China is mulling over establishing a BCI standardization technical committee under its Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), aiming to guide enterprises to enhance industrial standards and boost domestic innovation.

China's new-energy vehicle (NEV) sector is still on a robust upward trajectory, with industry insiders projecting production and sales both to exceed 10 million units by November this year, with sustained growth of 10-20 percent annually in the future.

Fu Bingfeng, executive vice president of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, said on Saturday that China's NEV production and sales will surpass 10 million units each by November, compared with 9.5 million units for all of 2023, cls.cn reported on Sunday.

This bullish forecast follows the sector's impressive performance in the first half of the year, a success that industry experts attributed to sustained strong domestic and international demand, despite trade protectionist suppression from some Western countries.

Experts said that as the industry shifts into a smart technology-driven era, the introduction of new technologies and products will supercharge upgrades across the entire NEV supply and value chains, further enhancing industry prosperity.

"This trend is also fueling rapid expansion in the upstream NEV supply chains, such as battery production and installation, highlighting the sector's development potential," Fu noted.

At the 2024 World EV & ES Battery Conference held on Sunday, Miao Wei, a national political advisor, said that NEV sales in China are expected to exceed 11 million units this year, with a 10-20 percent growth rate annually until domestic annual sales reach 20 million units.

Miao also projected that the penetration rate of NEVs will exceed 50 percent by 2026, meaning that a majority of consumers will opt for NEVs when purchasing passenger cars.

China's NEV market has greatly expanded in recent years thanks to innovation that lowers manufacturing costs and improves performance, Zhang Xiang, secretary-general of the International Intelligent Vehicle Engineering Association, told the Global Times on Sunday.

At 08:02 on Saturday, the Philippine ship 9701 weighed anchor and continued its provocations at China's Xianbin Jiao (also known as Xianbin Reef) in the South China Sea. In response, the Chinese coast guard ship 5205 lawfully issued verbal warnings and conducted monitoring and control measures, according to the China Coast Guard (CCG) on Saturday.

At 12:06, the Philippine ship deliberately rammed into the Chinese ship 5205 in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, causing a collision for which the Philippines bears full responsibility, CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun said.

China once again urges the Philippines to face reality, abandon illusions, and immediately withdraw their illegal ship, as this is the only correct path forward. The Philippines should not misinterpret the situation, provoke conflicts, or escalate tensions, otherwise, the consequences will be solely borne by the Philippine side, the spokesperson warned.

The CCG reiterated China's indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao, or Nansha Islands, including Xianbin Jiao, and their adjacent waters. China will take necessary measures to resolutely thwart any provocative acts of infringement and firmly defend the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, the spokesperson said.

Since mid-April, the Philippine Coast Guard ship 9701, also known as BRP Teresa Magbanua, has been illegally and harmfully anchored in the lagoon of the Xianbin Jiao.

The Philippines' long-term anchoring at Xianbin Jiao constitutes illegal occupation, which does not change the legal status of the occupied territory, according to Zhang Qiyue, a research fellow at Shanghai Institute for International Studies.

The Philippines has seriously infringed on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, violating the basic principles of the United Nations Charter for the peaceful resolution of international disputes, and gone against the spirit of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which promotes peaceful use of the seas, Zhang stressed, noting that this action has caused serious damage to international legal norms and the rule of law.

In response to the illegal intrusion of Philippine vessel 9701 into Xianbin Jiao, China has shown a high degree of restraint by refraining from taking forceful measures against it, and only implementing necessary control measures to prevent the vessel from staying long-term, said Chen Xidi, a research fellow at China Institute for Marine Affairs, noting that China has been actively communicating with the Philippine side throughout this situation.

This fully demonstrates China's sincerity in adhering to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, not expanding and peacefully resolving disputes, Chen said. "In sharp contrast, the Philippines continues provocations by deliberately ramming into the Chinese ship. The Philippines is the one undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea, and violating humanitarian principles," Chen noted.

In fact, the Philippines is not concerned about the safety of its ships, aircraft, and personnel at Xianbin Jiao, nor does it care about the "freedom" and "stability" of the South China Sea, Chen noted. "The only thing the Philippines cares about is whether its actions in the South China Sea are aggressive and attention-grabbing enough, and whether it can win the 'favor' and 'support' of certain countries outside the region," Chen said.

Experts urged the Philippine side not to harbor any illusions about the illegal occupation of Xianbin Jiao, nor to repeatedly test China's bottom line. Otherwise, it will only waste time and be of no benefit to the resolution of the dispute.

"The only way to solve the dispute is for the Philippine side to withdraw its coast guard ship and other vessels as soon as possible, and restore peace and stability in the South China Sea," Zhang said.

On Friday, China released an on-site investigative report regarding the ecological system of the coral reefs in the South China Sea's Xianbin Jiao, revealing the coral reef ecosystem in Xianbin Jiao is generally in good health, in response to allegations made by the Philippines this year, which groundlessly accused China of reclaiming an artificial reef around Xianbin Jiao that led to widespread coral bleaching.

The Embassy of Switzerland in China held an event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the 1949 Geneva Conventions at the Embassy of Switzerland residence in Beijing on August 12.
In his address, Swiss Ambassador to China Jürg Burri said, "If we look around the world today, 75 years later, we note that we are still far from achieving the goal of ending the pains of armed conflict. However, this should not lead us to accept war as inevitable. We should still condemn war as a means prohibited by the UN Charter. And even more importantly, it should not make us give up on the commitment to 'humanize war' and lessen the misery it causes."

Over the decades, the Geneva Conventions have provided a vital bulwark against the atrocities of war, saving millions of lives.

At the event, Balthasar Staehelin, Personal Envoy of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President to China and Head of the ICRC Regional Delegation for East Asia, delivered a speech.

Wang Ping, Vice-President of the Red Cross Society of China, also delivered an opening speech.

China was one of the first countries to accede to the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, and attaches great importance to compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL). The China National Committee on IHL was established in 2007 to promote the dissemination and implementation of the IHL, with the Red Cross Society of China as its secretariat.

"The ever more complex global development and security situation has resulted in an upsurge of humanitarian needs. Dissemination and compliance with the IHL are more relevant than ever before," said Wang.

The Geneva Conventions were adopted in 1949 and are now universally ratified, representing a universal acknowledgment that war needs rules to limit its devastating impact on humanity.

Showcasing the creations of over 100 artists from across the country, an exhibition titled Origin and Innovation - (China) Western Art Biennale kicked off on Friday in North China's Tianjin Municipality.

Hosted by the Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts, the exhibition is being held at three major venues: the Tianjin Art Museum, Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts Museum, and Tianmei Art District. It brings together works by more than 100 artists from cities such as Beijing, Tianjin, Xi'an, Hohhot and Shenzhen, covering a variety of mediums including painting, sculpture, installation art, technological art, and animation.

According to the organizers, the exhibition closely connects the rich cultural heritage of China's western regions with the artistic ecosystems of eastern and coastal areas. During the exhibition, a series of academic forums are also being held. Experts and scholars will discuss topics such as urban cultural development, the current state of contemporary art and social aesthetic education.

"Read ten thousand books, and your pen will be guided as if by the gods" is an ancient Chinese idiom that can be seen in students' textbooks. China's Ministry of Education has published an action plan to further promote reading among students across the nation. With new and diverse book recommendations, the reading scene is expected to be revived not only at schools, but also across society. To contribute to this endeavor, the Global Times launched "My Reading Life" essay contest for middle school students.

Please pick up a pen and share your stories with us at reading@globaltimes.com.cn

Participants will be rewarded once the article has been selected.

Throughout my life, reading has been an integral part of my personal and intellectual development. It has bestowed upon me infinite pleasure while expanding my horizons and amplifying my lexical resources. In this essay, I aim to discuss the impact of reading on my life, the multiple forms of literature I enjoy, and the reasons why I firmly believe that reading is an indispensable component of everyone's life.

First and foremost, reading has brought me much happiness. I have always loved delving into the magical realms that exist between a book's pages. I feel proud and fulfilled after finishing a book and understanding it completely.

When I was younger, I enjoyed reading comics, adventure novels, and fairy tales. These stories captivated my attention and gave me an opportunity to temporarily escape the strain of everyday life, which are too great for a child to handle. I developed an appreciation for more complex literature as I got older, including novels, poems, and essays. I tried to feel what the characters are feeling and to sympathize with them. These pieces continue to intellectually and emotionally challenge me even now.

Reading has made it possible for me to understand and sympathize with the hardships and victories of people from a variety of backgrounds. For example, I was able to understand the inequality that prevailed in the US in the 1930s after reading Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird.

Through the character development in this novel, I gained a deep understanding of the discrimination and oppression faced by African Americans in the society during that time. This work made me aware of the importance of racial equality and justice, and sparked my reflection on social fairness and equality.

Reading has enhanced my vocabulary repository and linguistic competencies, which enables me to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of various contexts, fostering my analytical abilities.

As I encountered new words and phrases in my reading materials, I learned their meanings and applications in my writing and conversations which has yielded a tremendously advantageous impact, particularly in relation to my academic endeavors and the preparation for various kinds of English exams.

By incorporating those newly learned vocabulary and phrases into my writing and oral communication, the quality of my expression had been elevated, and the recognition from my mentor was gained. Additionally, reading has opened up numerous personal and academic opportunities for me by improving my language skills.

Moreover, reading has shaped my values and worldview. Through the wisdom and insights of prominent thinkers, I have gained a deeper understanding of ethics, philosophy, and social issues. Reading has equipped me with encyclopedic knowledge and unwavering motivation that aren't accessible through other means, endowing me with the competence and fortitude to navigate social life and contribute meaningfully to the world.

In conclusion, reading has had a transformative force in my life. It has brought me joy, expanded my vocabulary, enhanced my global outlook.

I firmly believe that reading is essential for everyone, as it has the power to offer individuals inspiration and a pleasurable psychological experience. In today's fast-paced world, where technology and social media dominate our lives, reading remains a timeless and invaluable pursuit. It is my will that more people will embrace the joys of reading and discover the immense benefits it offers.

The author is a student at the Experimental High School attached to Beijing Normal University

The launch ceremony for the nationwide tour of the original Broadway musical Chicago was held on Friday at the Century Theater in Beijing. The two female leads, dressed in iconic black outfits, performed two of the most representative songs and dances from the show, instantly immersing the audience in the rich jazz flavor of Broadway.    

At the event, the actors first performed the song "My Own Best Friend." Afterward, they showcased Chicago's most famous duet, "Hot Honey Rag."

Starting in October, the musical will tour at least 11 cities across China, and bring 74 performances to audiences. From November 14 to 24, the show will come to Beijing's Century Theater for a 14-performance run. 

Since its Broadway debut in 1975, Chicago has enjoyed nearly 50 years of continuous performances. The musical has won six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, and one Grammy Award.