My African Story Online Competition creates closer China-Africa ties

An event that celebrates Africa Day on May 25th was held Thursday afternoon in Beijing.

During the event, dozens of Chinese citizens who have been working and living in Africa received an award for their submission of interesting stories regarding their experiences in communication with local African people. 

"My African Story" Online Competition award ceremony is held in Beijing on May 24 2018. [Photo: cnr.cn]

Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong has attended "My African Story" Online Competition award ceremony.

"The stories submitted to the competition tell many touching moments between Chinese and African people. It has become a new engine to constantly push forward the friendship between our peoples and also gives us confidence for the future of China-Africa relations."

Leo Li is the president of Lebunna, a Chinese Coffee company in Ethiopia.

He is one of the winners of "My African Story" Online Competition. 

He began working in Ethiopia six years ago. 

His company has two goals: one is to help African people improve their methods of growing coffee while the other is to bring back good Ethiopian coffee into China.

"As I worked in Ethiopia, I resided in a local mountain, where the local children had never met a foreigner like me before. In the first few days, these children all climbed onto trees to watch every one of my movements. A few days later when we became more familiar with each other, I offered them candies. Then they would pick fruits and gave them to me in return. Although we can't understand each other's languages, both sides showed utmost kindness." 

"My African Story" Online Competition was co-sponsored by the Chinese Follow-up Committee of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and China Radio International of China Media Group. 

Ren Qian is deputy editor-in-chief of China Radio International.

"These Chinese people who work, live and study in Africa have many interesting stories to share, all of which demonstrate the profound friendships between the peoples and multiple forms of close cooperation. Within a short period of 11 days, 42 pieces of work which were selected to compete for the award received more than 200,000 votes online in total."

The competition received more than 1,000 story submissions, featuring photos or videos from Chinese doctors and teachers who work in Africa, as well as peacekeepers, entrepreneurs and employees of Chinese companies in 46 African nations.

The event aims to enable Chinese people to gain a better understanding of Africa.