Deepening Opportunities in China–Africa Cooperation: Hunan Enterprises Go Global for Mutual Success | The China–Mauritania Economic and Trade Exchange and Negotiation Conference Concluded Successfully

　　Pooling strengths on the fertile ground of China–Africa relations, we are embarking together on a new journey of international expansion. To build a two-way bridge for economic and trade connectivity between Hunan and Africa, empower Hunan-based enterprises to strategically position themselves in overseas markets, and deepen industrial collaboration and cultural exchange between China and Africa, the China–Mauritania Economic and Trade Exchange Symposium was successfully held. With the core theme of “Deepening Opportunities in China–Africa Cooperation: Win-Win Outcomes for Hunan Enterprises Going Global,” the event brought together government and business leaders, industry elites, and representatives of intangible cultural heritage, establishing a regular, professional, and diversified platform for Hunan–Mauritania economic and trade cooperation. This initiative injects strong momentum into Hunan enterprises as they set sail for Africa and further cultivate the China–Africa market.

　　This event was hosted by the China–Africa Economic and Trade Promotion Committee of the Global Xiangshang Federation, with co‑sponsorship from the Global Business Africa Alliance and the Hunan Provincial Digital Commerce Association. Over one hundred representatives from member enterprises—including entrepreneurs affiliated with the Hunan Provincial Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, the China–Africa Economic and Trade Committee, and the Hunan Luxury Car Club—along with companies such as Chenxi Mining, Xingneng Power, and Xingwang Group, attended the exchange meeting. At the invitation of Hunan Xiangfei Business Services Co., Ltd., a 26‑person delegation from the Mauritanian government arrived in Changsha on the 26th for a four‑day fact‑finding and exchange program. Led by an advisor to the Mauritanian Minister of Economy and Development, the delegation included senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank, the Ministry of Social Security, the China–Mauritania Friendship Association, and the Entrepreneurs’ Federation, among other departments.

　　China and Mauritania have maintained diplomatic relations for over six decades, fostering deep friendship and a solid foundation of cooperation. In recent years, bilateral economic and trade ties have continued to strengthen; by 2025, the total value of China–Mauritania trade is expected to reach US$2.55 billion. China has extended zero-tariff treatment to 100% of tariff lines originating from Mauritania, significantly unlocking the potential of bilateral trade. With abundant resources in minerals, fisheries, and clean energy, Mauritania offers vast opportunities for collaboration in infrastructure development, digital trade, and the value-added processing of agricultural, livestock, and fishery products, making it an important strategic foothold for Hunan-based enterprises seeking to expand into the West African market. This business matchmaking event is meticulously designed to align the industrial strengths and address key challenges of both regions, employing a multifaceted approach—government‑enterprise dialogue, sector‑specific promotion, cultural exchange, and targeted negotiations—to advance Hunan–Mauritania cooperation from preliminary exchanges toward substantive, long-term implementation.

　　 01 Opening Remarks | Building a Two-Way, Mutual Cooperation Platform

　　 Following the official opening of the conference, the moderator delivered an opening address, clearly outlining the core objectives of this business matchmaking event. Grounded in the broader context of high-quality China–Africa cooperation, the event focuses on Hunan’s key strengths—manufacturing, cultural and tourism industries, and trade and services—while aligning Mauritania’s resource endowments with local market demand. It seeks to establish a sustained platform for two-way economic and trade engagement, deep industrial collaboration, and culture‑driven development, breaking down geographical information barriers, helping Hunan-based enterprises expand into international markets with greater precision, and enhancing their efficiency and competitiveness, thereby further advancing China–Africa economic and trade strategic cooperation in the new era.

　　 02 Guest Address | Uniting Hearts and Minds to Jointly Forge a New Chapter of Cooperation

　　 During the solemn welcoming address, Yu Yang, Chairman of the Global Business Africa Alliance, Director of the African Liaison Office of the Global Xiang Merchants Association, and Executive Director and Secretary-General of the China–Africa Economic and Trade Promotion Committee, delivered a speech. With many years of deep experience in China–Africa economic and trade relations, he provided an insightful analysis of the current policy dividends and market opportunities in China–Africa cooperation, noting that Hunan-based enterprises, bolstered by a solid industrial foundation, robust innovation, and a favorable business environment, enjoy strong competitiveness in the African market. He pledged to continue leveraging the platform’s role as a bridge, facilitating seamless connections between Hunan’s government, businesses, and stakeholders, and offering comprehensive support—including resource matchmaking, market research, and on-the-ground assistance—to help Hunan firms expand overseas, thereby encouraging more of them to establish roots in Mauritania and deepen their presence in the West African market.

　　Following this, Hou Xingwang, Director of the China–Africa Economic and Trade Promotion Committee of the Global Hunan Business Association and Chairman of Xingwang Technology Group, delivered a keynote address. Drawing on the evolution of Hunan entrepreneurs’ global expansion and the practical experience of China–Africa economic and trade cooperation, he shared insights into how Hunan‑based enterprises have deepened their presence in Africa, achieving mutually beneficial and win-win outcomes. He emphasized that China–Africa cooperation offers boundless opportunities, and that Mauritania, as a key economic and trade hub in West Africa, boasts resource endowments that are highly complementary to Hunan’s industrial strengths. He expressed hope that this forum would serve as a catalyst to unite the collective strength of Hunan entrepreneurs, further strengthen multi‑dimensional cooperation between the two regions in industry, trade, and investment, and establish a model case for China–Mauritania economic and trade collaboration.

　　This conference was honored by the participation of a distinguished official guest from Mauritania: ELY BOUN A, Advisor to the Minister of Economy and Development. In his official address, he highly commended the longstanding achievements of China–Mauritania friendship and cooperation, highlighting the bilateral progress in infrastructure, livelihood projects, and trade. He emphasized that Mauritania remains firmly committed to deepening its friendly ties with China, actively engaging in the Belt and Road Initiative, and continuously improving its business environment through favorable policies such as tax incentives and investment guarantees. He warmly welcomed more Hunan-based enterprises to invest, establish operations, and expand into the Mauritanian market, working together to achieve mutual benefit, win‑win outcomes, and shared development.

　　 03 Two-Way Promotion | Industry Empowerment Unlocks New Opportunities for Collaboration

　　 To help participating Hunan-based enterprises accurately seize market opportunities in Mauritania, Dr. Bneijeck Mohamedou, Secretary-General of the Mauritania–China Friendship Association and Director of the Confucius Institute in Nouakchott, delivered a comprehensive presentation on Mauritania’s national landscape and key industries. He provided a thorough, multi‑dimensional analysis, covering the country’s business environment, core industrial clusters, resource endowments, investment policies, and market demand. He highlighted priority areas for cooperation, including mineral development, clean energy, deep processing of fishery products, digital trade, and infrastructure construction, offering authoritative and detailed guidance to enable Hunan firms to strategically position themselves and target investments. Mauritania grants Chinese investors a high degree of autonomy, allowing wholly foreign‑owned enterprises to participate in government projects and legally remit a portion of their profits abroad. Furthermore, it offers end‑to‑end facilitation services spanning investment, industrial parks, taxation, and foreign exchange.

　　Drawing on the practical needs of Hunan-based enterprises expanding overseas, Yu Yang—Chairman of the Global Business Africa Alliance, Director of the Africa Liaison Office of the Global Hunan Business Association, and Chairman of Hunan Xiang‑Africa Business Services—delivered a focused presentation on how the platform empowers industries to go global. Leveraging Hunan’s strengths in construction machinery, building materials and hardware, light industry and home appliances, and modern agriculture, he conducted a targeted analysis of market fit and growth potential in North Africa and Mauritania, sharing success stories of companies such as Xingwang Group—highlighting their mining ventures, implementation strategies, and key risk‑mitigation measures. At the same time, drawing on his extensive experience in China–Africa business services, he offered actionable, implementable development plans to help Hunan enterprises enter the Mauritanian market and expand their international operations.

　　 04 Major Signing | Government–Enterprise Collaboration Forges a New Partnership for Hunan Wool Industry

　　 This trade fair marked a significant milestone with the signing of a strategic partnership: Xiang Africa Business (Hunan Xiang‑Africa Business Service Co., Ltd.) and UEF Mauritanie (the Mauritanian Employers’ Federation) held an on‑site ceremony to formalize their collaboration. Under the agreement, Xiang Africa Business was designated as the China Liaison Office of the Mauritanian Employers’ Federation, securing bilateral cooperation resources through a written contract. This development signals that economic and trade ties between Hunan Province and Mauritania have entered a new phase—characterized by standardization, institutionalization, and deeper integration. Building on the complementary strengths of Hunan’s industries and Mauritania’s market potential, and guided by the principles of mutual advantage, resource sharing, and win‑win outcomes, the two parties reached a consensus on a comprehensive strategic partnership. Going forward, they will focus on key areas including two‑way economic and trade connectivity, empowering Hunan‑based enterprises to expand overseas, cultivating mature footholds in foreign markets, co‑developing industrial projects, and fostering reciprocal exchanges of commercial and trade resources. Xiang Africa Business will leverage Hunan’s local resources, its expertise in serving Hunan‑based firms, and its experience in Sino‑African business operations to precisely align with Mauritania’s market needs. Meanwhile, UEF Mauritanie will draw on its official networks, industry channels, and strong local influence to provide end‑to‑end localized support for Hunan companies seeking to invest, establish operations, implement projects, and expand into the Mauritanian market. Together, they will open up a two‑way channel for economic and trade cooperation between Hunan and Mauritania, establishing a more efficient, professional, and practical cross‑border platform that lays a solid foundation for mutually beneficial growth and empowerment of businesses on both sides.

　　 05 Precise Matching | Q&A and Negotiations Foster Practical Cooperation

　　 Following the presentation session, the conference moved into a dedicated Q&A and advisory segment for participating enterprises. Representatives from Hunan-based companies engaged in face-to-face discussions and one‑on‑one consultations with Mauritanian counterparts and industry experts, addressing key issues such as Mauritania’s investment policies, market access, models of industrial cooperation, logistics and customs clearance, policy subsidies, and challenges in project implementation. The on‑site interactions were lively and highly informative, effectively helping companies address information gaps and resolve uncertainties as they expand overseas.

　　During the subsequent round of bilateral, open‑ended discussions, government and business leaders as well as corporate representatives engaged in informal matchmaking and in‑depth exchanges. Representatives from the Mauritanian government and local enterprises articulated their needs in sectors such as mining, water treatment, and infrastructure, while participants held substantive consultations on industrial cooperation, joint project development, trade exchanges, and resource sharing. These efforts facilitated precise alignment of supply and demand, resulting in several preliminary agreements that lay a solid foundation for the implementation of follow‑up projects and the establishment of long‑term partnerships.

　　At the conclusion of the meeting, all attendees posed for a group photo, capturing the beautiful moment of China–Mauritius cooperation. The economic and trade exchange conference thus came to a successful close.

　　Prior to the event, the Mauritanian delegation visited venues including the South Africa and Mauritania national pavilions at the China–Africa Economic and Trade Expo, as well as the China–Africa foreign currency exchange counter.

　　The Mauritanian delegation successively visited Wuxin Tunnel and Mining Group, Xingwang Technology Group, Qiqi Yimei Trading and Food Company, Changjiang Wanli Garment Company, and other enterprises. Special exchange meetings were also held at Wuxin Group and Xingwang Group.

　　This visit to Changsha by the Mauritanian delegation, organized at the invitation of Hunan Xiangfei Business Services Co., Ltd., culminated in a successful China–Mauritania economic and trade exchange forum. The event has further strengthened the foundation for cooperation between Hunan and Mauritania, streamlined two-way channels for economic and trade engagement, and delivered multifaceted benefits—facilitating industrial alignment, resource sharing, cultural exchange, and targeted capacity‑building. Looking ahead, leveraging a platform for regular exchanges, Hunan‑based enterprises will continue to deepen their presence in the China–Africa market. By capitalizing on Hunan’s industrial strengths and aligning with Mauritania’s resources and policy advantages, they will advance pragmatic cooperation across infrastructure, trade and logistics, culture and tourism, and the digital economy, thus writing a new chapter of Hunan firms expanding overseas and of win‑win outcomes for China and Africa.

　　The East Africa China Industrial Park, a key project of Hunan Province in Africa, is jointly developed and constructed by Hunan Xingwang Technology Group—underpinned by its “Science and Technology Powerhouse” and overseas‑expansion strategies, with its subsidiary HuaShu High‑Tech listed on the A‑share market (stock code: 688433)—and Hunan Dongyun Centralized Procurement, a supply-chain management platform rooted in the building‑materials sector. In addition, the park is operated professionally by Hunan Jingdi, bringing together multiple industry leaders to create a benchmark for modern, integrated industrial parks in the East African region. The site enjoys an excellent location, close to both the port and the city center, with the airport just a half‑hour away, ensuring efficient logistics and commuting. To date, parts of the project have been completed, with factory buildings available for immediate purchase and use, enabling rapid production start‑up. Throughout its development, the project has received strong attention and support from the governments of both countries, backed by guidance and endorsement from the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania, providing robust support for enterprises seeking to expand overseas.

　　Guided by market demand, the East Africa China Industrial Park prioritizes industries that are highly dependent on imports from Tanzania and other East African countries and command significant price premiums. Leveraging the dual engines of a “port‑based economic cluster” and the “China–Africa industrial capacity cooperation policy,” the park focuses on sectors such as construction materials, mechanical and electrical equipment, automotive parts, furniture and wood panels, consumer goods and home appliances, construction machinery, food processing, and modern logistics, aiming to become a comprehensive industrial hub within the framework of national strategic priorities. We warmly welcome interested companies from around the world to visit in person for detailed consultations.