The 7^th Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation was convened in Beijing from August 19 to 21, 2026. Within the framework of the forum, China-Africa Institute (CAI) hosted a thematic session entitled “Audiovisual Industry Serves China-Africa Economic and Trade Development”. Chaired by Professor Ye Hailin, President of the CAI, the session assembled eight experts and scholars from China, Uganda, Nigeria, Benin and Cameroon to explore audiovisual industry cooperation as a crucial pathway to promoting industrial development and economic exchanges between China and Africa.

Speakers at the sharing session

Wu Chuanhua, Associate Editor-in-chief of Chinese Journal of African Studies stressed the need to leverage audiovisual communication to better unleash the benefits of the zero-tariff policy, which took effect on May 1, 2026, for 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to China. He noted that through various forms of audiovisual products, we should ramp up the promotion of the zero-tariff policy and encourage more African products to enter the Chinese market, thereby making audiovisual communication directly serve China-Africa economic and trade cooperation.

Dr. Adetoro Olaniyi Banwo, Senior Lecturer at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, said that despite of enormous potential, the African audiovisual industry faces challenges of transforming it into economic value, employment and international trade. As one of the most important components of emerging creative economy of Nigeria, Nollywood film industry has long-term issues with financing, piracy and copyright enforcement. He called on African governments to promote professional training and digital infrastructure, as well as deepen cooperation with China, so as to translate cultural resources into economic growth.

Speakers at the sharing session

Dr. Joseph Olivier Mendo'o, Head of the African Youth Delegation in China, also Director of International Exchange Department, China-Africa Business Council, pointed out that China’s zero-tariff policy constitutes a major boon for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa. Nevertheless, rural growers and micro-traders across Africa still lack familiarity with the policy. He said, we should give full play to local African media, and interpret policies from African perspectives and in African native languages. This will help bridge the information gap and translate policy dividends into industrial income growth.

Yuan Xiaohui, Head of Institute of West Asian and African Studies, Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, noted that China’s zero-tariff policy will help promote the upgrading of Africa’s local industrial chains, attract export-oriented investment, boost employment and improve infrastructure, therefore deliver broad benefits to local SMEs. She said that audiovisual communication can support the publicity and implementation of the zero-tariff policy, while the policy in turn offers new opportunities for audiovisual communication.

Prof. Ye Hailin is making concluding speech

In his concluding remarks, Prof. Ye Hailin said that this year marks the 70^th anniversary of the establishment of China-Africa diplomatic ties. It is also  designated as the Year of China-Africa Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges. He encouraged the Chinese and African experts and scholars to deepen joint research on audiovisual industry's role in serving China-Africa economic and trade development. He said that we should focus on translating policy dividends into tangible outcomes for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, so as to inject new impetus into building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.