4th China-Africa Young Leaders Forum held in Shenzhen

The fourth China-Africa Young Leaders Forum was held in Shenzhen city, Guangdong province, from May 26 to 27. 

The theme explored at this year's forum was "How youths can play a role in exploring paths that suit their national conditions." It was hosted by the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). 

Some 70 youth delegates representing 40 political parties from nearly 40 African nations attended the forum and took part in discussions around the theme.

The CPC and participating African political parties have placed great emphasis on youth engagement, with younger citizens contributing to the exploration of paths to national development, the promotion of China-Africa friendship and the building of a global community with a shared future, said Song Tao, minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony.

Song noted that the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the fundamental reason for all the achievements and progress that China has made in the past decades. The CPC is willing to enhance exchange with political parties in Africa on this topic, he added.

"China's 40 years of rapid economic growth have brought hope and experience to Africa and we will make earnest efforts to develop our own country and Africa in the next 40 years," said Marius Assoumou Ndong, deputy secretary general of the Gabonese Democratic Party and secretary general of the party's Youth League. He also expressed that the forum offered a great platform to exchange views and enhance cooperation between China and African countries. 

The forum was also deemed a successful warm-up event for the summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which will be held in Beijing this September.