It is no more a secret that China's economy will continue to be a strong driving force in the face of sluggish world economic recovery. The government is targeting 6.5% of its GDP growth in 2017, if achieved, it would generate more additional economic output than last year, as this is a growth attained on the basis of RMB 74 trillion yuan, or US$11 trillion in GDP.

Jiangsu province situated on the eastern China coast where the Yangtze River empties into the sea has an area of 102,600 sq km and a population of 69,670,000. It has served as one of the lucrative areas for China’s economic prosperity over the years.

On March 23, 2017, officials of the local government from the office of land of fish and rice of Jiangsu province met with journalists from Africa to enlighten them on the progress made so far in its development activities and their relationship with African countries.

“We have enjoyed a very good relationship with African Countries, and we believe that existing strong economic and trade cooperation will bring a good cultural exchange for the two people,” says Xu Chang of the Development and Reform Commission of Jiangsu province.

Jiangsu derived its name from the first character of its two cities, Jiangning (now Nanjing) and Suzhou. The provincial capital is Nanjing, a bustling port on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River which is navigable for large ocean-going vessels.

The province continues to make progress in technology advancement, and have recorded a rapid increase in investment in African countries with a capital value of over $400 billion involving over 400 companies. “We have maintained an increase in import from African Countries, and can boast of $9.3billion on import and export from African countries,”  local officials told journalists.

The province implanted 1,600 programs in African countries last year, and have pledged to do more this year.

“We have maintained a good trade economic tie and people to people relationship. We will continue to support in areas like education, trade, medical service, etc.,” Jiangsu officials say.

The province has over the years maintained a very good economic relations with foreign countries, recording $30.6billion on overseas investment, $509.6billion on import and export and $24.5billion in foreign direct investment in 2016.

Jiangsu prioritizes education in so much that it can boast of has 141 higher learning institutions, providing educational support to students from Africa and other continents to pursue various fields of study.

Jiangsu happens to be the flattest and lowest-lying province in China with most of it below 50 meters in elevation. The only exceptions are the Ningzhen Mountain area and the Maoshan Hills in the southwest and scattered hills in the areas around Xuzhou in the north. The vast plains are dotted with lakes and crisscrossed by rivers, which cover 18 percent of the province's total landmass. With a number of river systems from north to south, including the Huaihe and Yangtze rivers -- Jiangsu has well-developed irrigation systems and shipping service. The Grand Canal is an artery between north and south. Of the more than 200 lakes, the larger one are Hongze, Taihu and Gaoyou. The Yangtze River Delta is known as "Water Country."

With merely 4.7% of the national arable land, Jiangsu produces 7% of grains, 12% of cotton, 7% of oilseeds and 8% of meat of China. The principal food crops are rice and wheat, supplemented by barley, maize, soybean and potatoes; the major cash crops consist primarily of cotton and rape seeds, as well as sesame and tobacco. There are also vegetables, gourds and fruits, etc. The provincial production of silks, fishery products, and livestock also plays an important role in China.

In line with the process of economic development, Jiangsu will continuously spur and expand its four pillar industries, i.e. machinery, electronic, chemicals and automobile. Industries above mentioned have enjoyed large markets and high market share. These industries had obvious advantages and characteristics not only in their production quantity, but also in their products quality, technology-exploitation, creative ability and sales system.

Abu Bakarr Kargbo is a Senior Staff Writer of Standard Times Newspaper in Sierra Leone and an intern at People’s Daily Online.