Hangzhou, China - November 17, 2024 - The 2024 China-Africa Economic and Trade West Lake Forum & Zhejiang-Africa Economic Cooperation Resource Exchange, themed "Empowering with Intelligence and Capital, Co-Creating for Mutual Growth, Building the Sino-African Industrial-Trade-Finance Bridge," was successfully held at Hangxiao Steel Structure Co., Ltd.(hereinafter referred to as "Hangxiao Steel Structure").

Co-hosted by Zhejiang Gongshang University and the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC) Hangzhou, with support from the China-Africa Business Council, and jointly organized by Hangxiao Steel Structure among others, the forum brought together over 400 participants. These included experts and scholars in China-Africa economic and trade research, representatives from business associations and enterprises, African business leaders, and representatives of the African diaspora in China for in-depth exchanges and discussions on future friendly cooperation. Diplomatic envoys from eight embassies and consulates representing five African countries attended the forum.

Mr. Cai Zhiheng, General Manager of Hangxiao Steel Structure Co., Ltd., delivered the welcome address. He extended a warm welcome to all guests and provided a brief overview of Hangxiao Steel Structure's achievements in the steel structure field and its experience in international cooperation. Mr. Cai stated that Hangxiao Steel Structure will actively participate in China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, contributing to the development of Sino-African relations.

Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on multiple topics related to China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. Experts and scholars shared their latest research findings, association representatives and entrepreneurs explored collaboration opportunities and challenges, while African business figures and diaspora representatives shared successful operational experiences and suggestions in China.

During the conference, Mr. Dong Zhiwu, General Manager of the Global Business Center at Hangxiao Steel Structure, delivered a keynote presentation on "China-Africa Infrastructure Cooperation." He provided a detailed analysis of the advantages and potential of bilateral cooperation, shared typical engineering project cases undertaken by Hangxiao Steel Structure in African markets, and demonstrated the company's successful experience in technological innovation, project management, and market development. He emphasized the high degree of complementarity between China and Africa in resources, technology, and markets, highlighting that deepened cooperation leads to mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

As a representative Zhejiang enterprise entering Africa, Hangxiao Steel Structure secured the Angola Homeland Residential Project in 2007. This key affordable housing project for the Angolan government marked the successful international application of Hangxiao Steel Structure's independently developed steel structure residential system in the first truly green high-rise steel structure residential building project. Its construction signified Hangxiao Steel Structure's entry into a new era of global strategic expansion, positioning the company as a pioneer in China-Africa cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The project was rated as a Five-Star Residential Development by United Nations Human Settlements Programme and received honors including the "Zhejiang Provincial Jin Gang Award" (Zhejiang Provincial Construction Engineering Award).

Subsequently, Hangxiao Steel Structure has undertaken numerous steel structure projects across Africa, including Ethiopia and South Africa. Examples include the Nigeria Dangote Refinery, the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Mine Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Mega Warehouse Project in Ethiopia, and the MITTAL Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) Plant Project in South Africa. These projects encompass various steel structure types such as industrial steel structures, multi-/super high-rise steel structures, long-span spatial structures, and steel structure residences, showcasing the company's professional expertise and technical advantages in the field.

Furthermore, Hangxiao Steel Structure holds crucial international certifications including American Welding Society (AWS), European Union Welding, and Russian GOST product certification. These represent the company's attainment of internationally advanced levels in technical capability and quality management. They also fully demonstrate the competitiveness and influence of Chinese steel structure enterprises in the international market, laying a solid foundation for the company's development in Africa and other overseas markets.

The successful hosting of the 2024 China-Africa Economic and Trade West Lake Forum has not only established a high-level exchange platform for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation but also provided valuable opportunities for Hangxiao Steel Structure and other Chinese enterprises to showcase their capabilities and expand their presence in African markets. Moving forward, Hangxiao Steel Structure will continue to actively participate in China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, working hand-in-hand to build the Sino-African Industrial-Trade-Finance Bridge and contribute greater wisdom and strength to building a China-Africa community with a shared future.