The 2021 China (Zhejiang) China-Africa Cultural Cooperation and Exchange Week & China-Africa Economic and Trade Forum will be held in Jinhua, East China's Zhejiang province, from Nov 7 to 13, officials announced at a news conference held in Hangzhou on Oct 28.

The event is co-sponsored by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Zhejiang Provincial People's Government.

Themed "People-to-People Communication, Cultural Mutual Learning, Win-win Cooperation", the forum is expected to strengthen Sino-African links in fields including governmental cooperation, trade, vocational training, FTZ construction and screen culture.

Held both online and offline, the event will include an opening ceremony, seven forums, two economic and trade matchmaking activities, six cultural exchange events as well as four exhibitions.

In recent years, Zhejiang has maintained close ties with Africa in aspects like economy, trade, science and technology, culture, tourism and education under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Africa is the largest export destination for Jinhua, the host city of the event.

Jinhua's exports totaled 461.33 billion yuan ($70.97 billion) in 2020, ranking ninth in the country. Its exports to Africa hit 78.4 billion yuan, accounting for 9.9 percent of the country's total exports to the continent.

From January to September, the city's exports to Africa were valued at 62.67 billion yuan, up 10.6 percent year on-year-year. There are presently more than 5,200 Africans doing business in Jinhua.