China-Africa youth find common ground

From ancient ceramics to hybrid rice, encounters in Changsha help young Chinese and Africans exchange ideas and build lasting friendships.

At the Changsha Tongguan Kiln Museum in Hunan province, Rachid El Housseini Hilal, a Moroccan student at Hangzhou Dianzi University, was fascinated by centuries-old ceramics bearing Arabic inscriptions.

Recovered from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) Belitung shipwreck, the artifacts reminded him of the historical connections between China and the Arab world, as well as the pottery traditions of Safi, a Moroccan city known for its ceramics.

El Housseini Hilal was among young representatives from China and African countries, including Namibia, Nigeria, Morocco, Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso, who participated in the 2026 "Discover Youthful Changsha, a City of Opportunity "China-Africa Youth Exchange Event, held from Oct 21 to 23 in Changsha, capital of Hunan province.

The event took place during the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, marking the 70th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations between China and African countries. It aimed to deepen mutual understanding and friendship while exploring opportunities for cooperation.

Under the theme "Dreaming Big in Changsha, Together with Africa", the three-day program was jointly organized by the publicity department of the CPC Changsha Municipal Committee and China Daily. Participants visited research institutions, cultural landmarks and industrial sites, gaining firsthand insights into the city's cultural heritage, scientific innovation and economic vitality.

The program culminated in the 2026 China-Africa Young Voices Dialogue in Changsha, which brought together more than 150 youth representatives, scholars and guests and saw the release of the Changsha Initiative for Chinese and African Youth.

Addressing the event, Zhao Xuefeng, deputy director of the publicity department of the CPC Changsha Municipal Committee, encouraged young people to carry forward China-Africa friendship, promote people-to-people exchanges and contribute to practical cooperation.