With the support of the University Grants Committee, Hong Kong, Lingnan University successfully hosted an International Symposium on 13-14 April 2023. The Symposium was under the theme: Africa-China Relations in an Era of Uncertain Future. It was organised in partnership with Africa-China Research Network. This two-day Symposium was held simultaneously onsite at the Lingnan University campus and online. The Symposium was organised as part of the MA China-Regional Studies Programme, which has a specialisation in China-Africa Studies.  

The Symposium was well-attended, with speakers from twelve countries/regions, including Hong Kong, Mainland China, the US, Morocco, South Sudan, Macao, Pakistan, Malaysia, Ghana, Sweden, Ireland, and the UK. The presentations covered topics relating to political and economic aspects of Africa-China engagement, people-to-people engagements, historical aspects of Africa-China relations, and education and health partnerships.

In his welcoming address, Prof Ka Ho Mok, Vice-President of Lingnan University, highlighted the University’s latest remarkable progress in social sciences, business, and arts. He iterated the University’s plans to create more platforms for dialogue on critical international relations issues, including China and African relations. Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, he challenged academics and practitioners to enhance collaboration in our bid to make the world a better place.

On his part, H.E. Mr. Monday Semaya K. Kumba, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of South Sudan to the People’s Republic of China expressed his pleasure about China’s significant engagements with African countries so far, particularly South Sudan, in areas of agriculture, infrastructure development, trade, education and energy. Given numerous developmental challenges, he called for more collaboration and support from China to African countries. Mr Kumba congratulated Lingnan University for hosting a meaningful symposium at such a crucial time for China’s relations with Africa.

In his closing remarks, Prof Padmore Adusei Amoah, Assistant Professor at the School of Graduate Studies of Lingnan University, expressed his appreciation to all participants for their contributions to a successful symposium. He indicated plans to host the Symposium again next year.

More information about the Symposium can be found on the symposium website: https://www.ln.edu.hk/sgs/international-symposium-africa-china-relations-in-an-era-of-uncertain-future