Some African journalists at a foreign affairs service center in Guangzhou

Guangdong’s capital Gunagzhou is a household name on the lips of foreigners including those studying across China. Any African you ask in China will advise that you shop in Guangzhou. Most of the foreigners use vacation and other free times to go on shopping spree in Guangzhou.

Not that they always go only to buy, they also ship things to their respective countries from Guangzhou. In addition, there are many African business people in Guangzhou who, in collaboration their Chinese friends, assist in shipping their things and as well establish business opportunities for some.

Guangdong Province is situated in south China, adjacent Hong Kong and Macao. It has unique feature of easily connecting the world with China. Besides being China’s most populous province, it is also the highest connecting point for Chinese and foreigners including business people and other entrepreneurs. Many traders transport goods by sea and air through Guangdong Province.

As part of our tour in the Province on September 6-10, 2016, we, African journalists on fellowship in China, visited the Dengfeng Community in the provincial capital Guangzhou. The community pays host to majority of foreigners in the city due to its strategic location of commercial activities as well as other social opportunities. Therefore, it is also referred to as foreigners’ residential community.

The conducive business climate pulls more foreigners, mostly Africans to the China’s most populous province of more than 106 million. A Sierra Leonean who has lived in China for more than two years said he finds pleasure living in Guangzhou because he transacts between Africa and China easily from the area.

From shopper to businesswoman

A Nigerian business lady, who only identified herself as Mrs. Lawal, said she has become successful because Guangzhou is a place of opportunity for her. Mrs. Lawal explained that in 2011, while visiting her sister in Changsha, Hunan Province, they went to shop in Guangzhou. During the process, she came across many of her kinsmen who assisted her to start business in Guangzhou. “After my first shipment, I was encouraged and decided to continue and now I am an international business person,” she said.

The Nigerian business woman commended China for the level of friendship it continues to extend to Africa, providing more opportunities to Africans. She is pleased with the assistance by Guangdong officials, who, she said are cooperative. She concluded: “I am now transformed from shopper to businesswoman.”

A social worker speaking with African journalists on how they assist Africans in the area

At a foreign affairs service center in the community, one or two Africans could be seen among every 10 to 15 commuters. Even in shopping malls and other commercial centers Africans are seen in their numbers, transacting. They include short and long stay Africans.

A social worker at the foreign affairs service center told African journalists that Africans come to Guangzhou in their number daily. “I do not have the statistics but they come in thousands,” the staff noted. The social worker named services they provide for foreigners at the center as: lodging registration, language learning, policy consultation, health maintenance, social assistance and cultural exchange, among others. These services are intended to ensure that the foreigners live peacefully in China.

With such services, coupled with the increased cooperation between China and Africa, there are high prospects of business opportunities for Africans in China and Chinese investments in Africa.

To increase the business cooperation volume, Guangzhou hosted the “2nd Investing in Africa Forum” on September 7-8, 2016. China’s vice premier Ma Kai, South African President Jacob Zuma, Benin President Patrice Talon, other African officials, representatives of international financial institutions, Chinese officials and other Asian business people graced the occasion. Several economic and development agreements were signed at the forum.

For local officials, Guangzhou of more than 16 million people and economic hubShenzhen of more than 10 million people are among the most populous and important cities in China.

According to them, the province has achieved remarkable economic and social development since China’s reform and opening up. They revealed that in 2015, the province recorded US$1.2 trillion GDP, increasing by eight percent over the GDP in 2014.

Guangdong as a leading industrial base as well as an export processing base for a wide range of products contributes markedly to the country’s export growth. Major export product types include electric and electronic products, computer and communication technology, machinery and equipment, among others. It is also strong at light manufacturing industry. Products include electrical appliances such as television sets, electrical fans and refrigerators, and other consumer products like garments, toys, shoes and electronics. In recent years, Guangdong have moved towards heavy, new and high technology industries.

Fredrick P. W. Gaye is the News Editor of In Profile Daily Newspaper in Liberia and a fellow at the China Africa Press Center (CAPC). He can be reached by: [email protected]