People's friendship is an important cornerstone of the development of China Africa relations, cultural exchanges are the driving force of intergenerational friendship between China and Africa, and educational cooperation is an important content of cultural exchanges between China and Africa.

In recent years, China has become the second largest destination for African students studying abroad. In terms of professional choices, African international students are increasingly favoring emerging application fields such as engineering technology, information and communication, and artificial intelligence, which are in line with the needs of Africa's modernization and development. They also went into communities, villages and enterprises to understand the great practice of Chinese path to modernization and feel the real life of the Chinese people. An Lan, an Ivorian student who studied abroad at Xiangtan University, said, "During my years in China, I have witnessed the country's development in politics, economy, society, culture, technology, and other aspects. When the Changsha Huaihua section of the Shanghai Kunming Expressway was opened, I was fortunate enough to be invited to be one of the first passengers to experience it and truly feel what 'Chinese speed' is

Through international student education, China has trained a large number of high-quality professionals for African countries. After returning to their home countries after completing their studies, these African students are active in government departments, higher education institutions, research institutions, various enterprises, and entrepreneurial platforms, and will apply what they have learned in China to their own development and construction. Former Ethiopian President Mullatu Teshome, who studied in China for 12 years, once said, "I received my education in China, and China shaped me." African students have a broad international perspective, are familiar with their own country's situation and Africa's development needs, and have a deep understanding of China's development path. They are ambassadors for enhancing China Africa friendship and have played an important role in building an all-weather China Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

Cultural exchanges between China and Africa extend far beyond the field of education. Both sides continue to expand exchanges and cooperation in tourism, sports, youth, women, think tanks and other fields, promote people to people exchanges, and strengthen the social foundation of China Africa friendship. The popular Guizhou "Village Supermarket" not only attracts diplomats and overseas students from African countries to participate, but has also been successfully replicated by countries such as South Africa and Benin, launching the "African Village Supermarket" locally. The "Happy Spring Festival" has been held in Africa for nearly 20 years and has become a cultural event for Chinese and African people to celebrate the festival together. African culture is increasingly entering China, allowing Chinese people to experience authentic African song and dance performances at their doorstep, listen to unique African musical instrument performances, and appreciate cultural exhibitions such as Zimbabwean stone carvings and Tanzanian Tingga Tingga paintings. Chinese medical aid team members in Africa safeguard the health of local people with benevolence and compassion, the Luban Workshop on Traditional Chinese Medicine Technology cultivates local Chinese medicine talents in Africa, and forums such as China Africa media, think tanks, and youth are regularly and systematically held, all of which promote cultural exchanges between China and Africa in the new era.

This year is the first cultural exchange year in the history of China Africa relations. As of the first half of the year, nearly 500 events have been successfully held, effectively promoting China Africa friendly relations and people to people exchanges. The second West Africa Forum was successfully held in Senegal, contributing think tank strength to the joint promotion of modernization between China and Africa; The "African Railway Talent Qinghai Tibet Tour" uses railways as a medium and talents as a bridge to promote dialogue and cooperation between China and Africa in the field of railway construction; Young leaders of political parties from 13 French speaking African countries visited Shaanxi to witness the achievements of Chinese path to modernization... A series of colorful activities reflect the characteristics of "all field coverage, multi group participation, multi-level linkage".

The friendship between nations lies in people's matchmaking, and people's matchmaking lies in heart to heart communication. Looking towards the future, China and Africa will continue to promote mutual trust, strengthen friendship, and assist in modernization through cultural exchanges, so that the friendship that transcends mountains and seas can be passed down from generation to generation, and we will work together to take the path of equality, mutual learning, and win-win cooperation in modernization. (The author is the Secretary General of the Chinese Society of Asian and African Studies)