The opening ceremony of the 2024 China-Africa Internet Development and Cooperation Forum. [Photo/www.cac.gov.cn]

The 2024 China-Africa Internet Development and Cooperation Forum was held from April 2 to 3 in the coastal city of Xiamen, Fujian province.

The forum focused on hot topics such as the data economy, China-Africa Internet cooperation, cyber security and artificial intelligence (AI) governance. About 400 participants representing international organizations, universities, research institutes and media from China and 20 African countries took part.

Zhuang Rongwen, head of the Cyberspace Administration of China, said China and African countries have deepened cooperation in the digital economy, digital technology, cyberspace security and online media, which has injected new impetus into the building of a community with a shared future for China and Africa.

Zhou Zuyi, Party secretary of Fujian province, said that cooperation between Fujian and Africa has deepened in recent years.

Fujian will expand cooperation with Africa in the internet sector, promote the development of information infrastructure and the digital economy, and improve digital public services.

Representatives from Africa said China is a strategic partner in the digital sector. They hope the two sides will advance mutually beneficial cooperation, promote digital infrastructure in Africa, facilitate the development of digital entrepreneurship, innovation and commerce, strengthen international digital cooperation and promote the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future in cyberspace.

In addition to the main forum, four sub-forums focusing on sharing development opportunities in the digital economy, expanding online media cooperation between China and Africa, strengthening online security, and the development and governance of AI.

The forum also saw the release of the "Chairman's Statement on Sino-African AI Cooperation".