Joining Forces to Go Global: Yanxiang in Africa | The Investment Opportunities in Africa and the Hengyang Chamber of Commerce Building “Nest-Building to Attract Talent” Exchange Event Held Successfully

On May 9, the “Building Nests to Attract Phoenixes” exchange event on African investment opportunities and the Hengyang Chamber of Commerce Building was successfully held at Lücheng·Liupan Tinglan. The event, themed “Joining Forces to Go Global, Geese Soaring Across Africa,” was co-hosted by the Hengyang Chamber of Commerce in Changsha and the Hunan–Africa Economic and Trade Chamber of Commerce. More than eighty local notables from Hunan and representatives of chamber‑affiliated enterprises gathered to discuss expanding into the African market.

Li Xinqiu, a distinguished native of Hengyang, and Liu Zhen, Director of the Hengyang Municipal Government’s Office in Changsha; Tang Xiang, Executive Vice President of the Hunan Xiangfei Economic and Trade Chamber of Commerce; specially appointed expert Wang Xuekun; Party Branch Secretary and Secretary-General Wang Quanhai; and Vice President Bin Guangqian; along with Yan Zhongli, President of the Hengyang Chamber of Commerce in Changsha; He Houting, candidate for the fifth-term presidency; Party Branch Secretary Zhou Shunjia; Executive President Zhao Bin, as well as relevant officials from subdistricts in Furong District, heads of Hengyang‑origin chambers of commerce from various counties and cities, and representatives of local entrepreneurs—approximately 80 attendees—were present at the meeting. Fu Nan, Vice President of the Hunan Xiangfei Economic and Trade Chamber of Commerce, served as the chair of the session.

As the organizer of this event, he serves as Vice President of the Hunan–Africa Economic and Trade Chamber of Commerce, Executive President of the Hengyang Chamber of Commerce in Changsha, and Chairman of Hunan Yuankang Real Estate Investment Co., Ltd. Zhao Bin In his welcoming address, he emphasized that the core of this grand event is to unite in building a thriving Hengyang business community, join forces to tap into Africa’s vast opportunities, and work together to construct the Hengyang Chamber of Commerce Building. “Hengyang merchants have always been hardworking, trustworthy, pragmatic, and bold—ready to take risks and strive for success. As long as we remain grounded in practical action and uphold the spirit of craftsmanship, we can seize the dividends and cultivate enduring prosperity on Africa’s fertile soil,” he said. He urged that only by standing united, sharing information, providing mutual support, and advancing side by side can Hengyang entrepreneurs avoid detours, achieve steady and sustainable growth, and expand their influence in the African market.

Li Xinqiu, a distinguished native of Hengyang, delivered a speech in which he provided a systematic overview of Africa from three perspectives: “How Africa is viewed,” “What Hunan’s situation is like,” and “How we should proceed.” He argued that, while the global economy has been shaped by Asia over the past fifty years, the next fifty will be defined by Africa—where opportunities abound yet pitfalls lurk at every turn. As the host of two national-level platforms for China–Africa economic and trade cooperation—the China–Africa Economic and Trade Expo and the Pilot Zone for In-depth China–Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation—Hunan enjoys favorable timing, geographical advantages, and popular support. He advised Hunan-based enterprises to venture overseas with prudence, leveraging existing partnerships, pursuing joint ventures, and advancing in an orderly manner, so as to navigate the path to Africa more steadily, swiftly, far, and effectively.

Tang Xiang, President of the Hunan–Africa Economic and Trade Chamber of Commerce, shared insights into business opportunities across Africa’s mining, energy and power, and real estate sectors, with a particular focus on the development of the real estate industry in African countries. He proposed that the Hengyang Chamber of Commerce and the Hunan–Africa Chamber of Commerce jointly establish an Africa liaison office to provide overseas services—including information and communication, local market research, and project matchmaking—for Hengyang-based businesses operating in Africa.

Wang Xuekun, a specially appointed expert of the Hunan–Africa Economic and Trade Chamber of Commerce and a leader in the Overseas Business Division of Hunan Transportation International Cooperation, shared: “Going it alone is a thing of the past. Only by forging close partnerships and taking deep root in Africa can Hunan enterprises achieve sustained and steady progress.”

Wang Quanhai, Secretary of the Party Branch and Secretary-General of the Hunan–Africa Economic and Trade Chamber of Commerce, began by reassuring the attending enterprises: with the exception of a few countries, most African nations enjoy political stability. He emphasized that the Chamber’s mission is to “be rooted in Hunan, look nationwide, engage China–Africa relations, serve businesses, connect to markets, and bring projects to fruition,” with a project‑centric approach to help member companies establish a foothold in Africa. To date, the Chamber has forged close ties with more than 20 African countries and hopes to forge long-term cooperation with the Hengyang Chamber of Commerce, enabling Hengyang enterprises to truly enter the African market.

Zhang Shunfeng, General Manager of Investment Promotion at the East Africa China Industrial Park in Tanzania, presented a key high‑quality investment project in Africa—the East Africa China Industrial Park. Located in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s economic capital, the park covers approximately 4,000 mu under its master plan, with Phase I—spanning 1,509 mu—already under construction. The park prioritizes attracting investments in sectors such as construction materials, mechanical and electrical equipment, motor vehicles, furniture and wood products, daily consumer goods and home appliances, engineering machinery, and modern logistics. It offers diversified cooperation models, including land transfer, turnkey factory construction, and finished‑product sales, providing enterprises with a one‑stop platform for entering the African market.

Xie Guan, Marketing Director of Changsha Longyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd., presented the Hengyang Chamber of Commerce Building project. Located in the heart of the Longping New Area within Furong’s main urban district, the building sits directly at the subway station serving the Longping Rice Museum and benefits from provincial, municipal, and district‑level industrial support policies. The project offers ready‑to‑occupy units with a total floor area of approximately 20,000 square meters across 27 floors, each unit averaging about 807 square meters. The development introduces a crowdfunding scheme featuring “subsidies + naming rights + shared amenities”: depending on the purchase size, the Chamber of Commerce commits to using the space for more than 10 years, with office areas not exceeding 200 square meters, and offers a fixed price of RMB 4,980 per square meter after developer subsidies. In addition, buyers can receive full‑building naming rights and titled parking spaces, along with access to shared facilities such as meeting rooms, a restaurant, a gym, a clubhouse, a swimming pool, and a rooftop garden—transforming the site into a true hub and home for the broader Hengyang business community.

During the event, a signing ceremony was held for the site selection of the Hengyang Chamber of Commerce Building, as well as a launch ceremony for the first batch of enterprises under the “Flock of Geese Nesting Together, Joining Forces to Go Global” initiative. Seven high‑quality companies signed letters of intent to move in on the spot. Meanwhile, five chambers of commerce—the Changsha Hengyang Chamber of Commerce, the Hengyang County Chamber of Commerce, the Hengshan Chamber of Commerce, the Hengnan Chamber of Commerce (in preparation), and the Qixiang Chamber of Commerce—jointly signed an agreement to occupy dedicated office space.

During the thematic interactive session, the participants engaged in a multi‑dimensional, in‑depth exchange of insights around two core topics: “Opportunities and Risk Mitigation in Hengyang Business Investment in Africa” and “How to Transform the Chamber of Commerce Building into a Strategic Hub for Hengyang Enterprises Going Global.” Experts and entrepreneurs from sectors including African infrastructure, industrial parks, legal risk management, and chamber‑of‑commerce development drew on real‑world case studies to share both successful practices and lessons learned from risks.

In her address, Liu Zhen, Director of the Hengyang Municipal Government’s Office in Changsha, pointed out that this event carries a clear theme: on one hand, “going global” to Africa, and on the other, “building a nest” in Changsha—embodying both an outward‑looking strategy and a heartfelt commitment to attracting investment back home. She emphasized that Africa is not a distant frontier but rather a new battleground for Hengyang entrepreneurs, brimming with abundant market resources and immense potential—making it an ideal arena for businesses to expand across sectors and diversify their operations. The Hengyang Chamber of Commerce Building, she added, is not merely a structure of steel and concrete; it stands as a landmark of the Hengyang entrepreneurial spirit and a “treasure bowl” for pooling and leveraging resources. As for the Changsha office, it will not act as a mere administrator but as a dedicated partner, fully committed to facilitating government coordination and resource matchmaking for those returning to invest in their hometown or expanding into Africa, ensuring that investors can feel confident and businesses can grow with peace of mind.

He Houting delivered a concluding address. He noted that the African market offers tremendous opportunities, yet also entails real risks. This event marks a milestone in Hengyang entrepreneurs’ engagement with Africa. Moving forward, he emphasized the need to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Hunan–Africa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, helping member enterprises navigate the landscape, stay vigilant, cultivate sound judgment, and enhance their risk‑management capabilities. “Da Hengshang” is a golden brand; the people of Hengyang must unite, keep the bigger picture in mind, pursue ambitious goals, and seek profound wisdom.

This exchange event was not only a grand forum for sharing information, but also a pragmatic initiative to build consensus and advance cooperation. “Going global together and soaring across Africa” is more than just a slogan—it is a vivid demonstration of the joint efforts of the Hengyang Chamber of Commerce and the Hunan–Africa Economic and Trade Chamber. Looking ahead, the two sides will continue to deepen their collaboration, using the Hengyang Chamber of Commerce Building as their base and the East Africa Industrial Park as a springboard, to help more Hunan enterprises set sail in Africa and achieve win‑win outcomes for the future.