From January 17 to 25, 2024, Tsinghua University, in collaboration with Hunan University, conducted a research initiative titled "Hunan Practice in China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation". This Activity aimed to explore, refine and promote Hunan's pioneering experiences and approaches in policy formulation, institutional innovation, think tank research and corporate practices in economic and trade cooperation with Africa, for the purpose of disseminating the "Hunan Model" more extensively across China.

This initiative has left the students with abundant gains and profound insights. Ma Shunyi, an undergraduate student from the Class of 2021 at Tsinghua University's School of Social Sciences, said: "This initiative has given me an intuitive understanding of the practical implementation of policy paper that I previously only encountered in the governmental work report or media coverage."

During the research, teachers consistently emphasized the need to well fulfill three roles as learners, practitioners and service providers. "This trip of research is an excellent opportunity for students focused on theoretical learning to integrate academic theories with local practices, helping us ground our research more effectively," said Tang Bin, a Ph.D. candidate at Hunan University's School of Economics and Trade and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Research Institute.

Chen Zele, an undergraduate student from the Class of 2021 at Tsinghua University's School of Social Sciences, remarked: "In the organizational structure of the research team, the joint team formed by Tsinghua University and Hunan University fostered deep friendships between students from both universities while broadening their perspectives and horizons. Through this research program, I gained an in-depth and multidimensional understanding of the operational mechanism of municipal-level economic and trade engagement with Africa, as well as the role played by private capital within this framework."

During the research, I learned that Changsha has been continuously exploring policy innovation and development pathways to promote China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. The research in Shaoyang also revealed distinctive industries and export linkage models for economic and trade cooperation with Africa. "From these gains, I've come to realize that China-Africa economic and trade cooperation is not just about economic exchanges; equally important are cultural, technological and people-to-people interactions at multiple levels," said Wu Ruiqin, a 2024 Ph. D candidate at Hunan University’s School of Economics and Trade and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Research Institute.

At the summary meeting of the research activity, several students raised three persistent questions throughout this research: What is it? Why? How to do? With the successful conclusion of this initiative, participants have derived meaningful insights from their firsthand observations.

What is it? —— A collaborative practice between specialized research teams from two universities

This activity was jointly organized by the Institute of BRI Strategy at the School of Social Sciences, Tsinghua University, and the School of Economics and Trade as well as the China-Africa Economic and Trade Research Institute at Hunan University.

The Tsinghua University BRI Strategy Research Institute is a university-level think tank primarily affiliated with the School of Social Sciences, engaged in intensive research on overarching, strategic and forward-looking major issues arising during the implementation of China's Belt and Road Initiative. The THU delegation of this joint research team comprised 11 faculty members and students specializing in economics, international relations, sociology and the like disciplines, with several participants possessing field research experience in Africa. Professor Shi Zhiqin, Executive Dean of Tsinghua University BRI Strategy Institute, stated: "Organizing this trip of research to Hunan for students primarily aims to help them recognize the international role of China's local open platforms — research on cooperation along the Belt and Road should not only focus on 'going global' but also on discovering achievements made domestically."

The China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Research Institute was established under the leadership of Hunan University, with the aim of building a think tank platform, talent development platform and professional consulting platform for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. The Hunan University delegation of this joint research team consisted of 11 teachers and students, including 4 Ph.D students from the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Research Institute and 6 master's and undergraduate students from the Departments of International Economics and Trade, Economics and Digital Economy. Xiao Hao, Vice Dean of Hunan University's School of Economics and Trade, Executive Secretary-General of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Research Institute, Professor, and Ph.D. Tutor, explained the multidisciplinary backgrounds of the team members from Hunan University: "The purpose of this research is to generate innovative outcomes and requires interdisciplinary thinking and diverse theoretical perspectives."

Two top-tier institutions in China have joined forces to unravel the innovative codes of Hunan practice in China-Africa trade, an endeavor of profound significance for both academic research in related fields and the future strategic planning of Hunan's China-African cooperation. As Li Man, Deputy CPC Committee Secretary and Associate Professor at Hunan University's School of Economics and Trade, explained: "the team members from Hunan University are not just participants but also drivers of concentration and professionalism in China-Africa economic and trade research within the team."

Why? —Hunan "Respondent" to China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation

"During the initial phase of this activity, I tended to ask companies about their operational models for African economic and trade relations, but I overlooked one question: why did they choose to rely on Hunan's platform?" "Why can Hunan continuously take the lead in pilot initiatives and strive to establish itself as a new hub for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation?" Yang Junyi, an undergraduate student from the Class of 2022 in the Digital Economy Department of Hunan University's School of Economics and Trade, reconsidered the research approach with this question in mind.

During the visit to the Yuhua Block in Changsha of Hunan Pilot Free Trade Zone, Yang Junyi sought to find answers. Since the approval and establishment of the China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone in September 2020, the Hunan Pilot Free Trade Zone Changsha Area Yuhua Block (referred to as the "FTZ Yuhua Block") has leveraged its platform and policy advantages, strengthened institutional innovation and set its goal as building a core zone for in-depth China-Africa economic and trade cooperation.

When Yang Junyi inquired about specific policy innovations for Africa-related trade, Zhou Wuyun, Deputy Director of the Yuhua Administrative Committee of the Changsha Pilot Free Trade Zone, responded: "For instance, in Africa-related trade, foreign exchange settlement is a key concern for enterprises. The Yuhua Block is exploring new forms of barter trade between China and Africa, while promoting cross-border CNY settlement. The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China has established a China-Africa Cross-border RMB Center within the Yuhua Block."  From South African ruby grapefruits exchanged for Chinese construction materials to Chinese companies offsetting unpaid receivables with Madagascan mica through barter — this free trade zone, nestled in the heart of Hunan, reflects profound localization with African characteristics at every level, from policies and products to interior décor and furnishings.

This is just a microcosm of Hunan's efforts to advance in-depth cooperation with Africa. As a local "experimental field" for Africa-oriented economic cooperation, Hunan has fully leveraged its strategic position bridging "the Belt and Road" for the past years. In addition to Changsha-based Sany Heavy Industry, Kilimall, CoffeeZ and SIRIM-QAS, Pingjiang-based JINZAI FOOD, Shaoyang-based Dongyi Electric, Chunlong Luggage & Bag, and Sunshine Hair Products presented the research team with sustainable, replicable and scalable China-Africa economic and trade models. Hunan enterprises, batch after batch, have taken root in Africa, building factories, establishing platforms and attracting talented people. China-Africa economic and trade cooperation will continue to deepen alongside people-to-people exchanges.

"I have genuinely felt the three-dimensional organizational role played by Hunan Government in promoting China-Africa economic and trade cooperation— 'establishing policy objectives, constructing policy tools and tightly grasping policy implementation'. I believe that in this process, the executive synergy formed between the 'capable government' and the 'effective market' is the 'key to problems' in the Hunan model," said Ma Shunyi, a 2021 undergraduate student at the School of Social Sciences, Tsinghua University.

How to do? —— Deepen and solidify research outcomes

Knowledge without action turns wisdom into dust. The primary purpose of forming this research team is to translate findings into references for decision-making and provide intellectual support for China-African economic and trade development in Hunan.

This field research covered not only the China-Africa Free Trade Zone and enterprises but also included the Yuelu Academy, Hunan Provincial Museum, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Innovation Demonstration Park (featuring the permanent exhibition hall of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo), as well as the Shaoyang Municipal Planning Exhibition Hall and Shaoyang Municipal Museum. This experience helped the team members develop a deeper conceptual framework of the cultural heritage and historical origins of Hunan. "Your research report must maintain tangible relevance," encouraged Chi Haohan, the team leader from Tsinghua University and research assistant at the University BRI Strategy Institute, urging members to ground their outcome firmly in fieldwork realities. This research activity marks a new starting point for university think tanks to provide decision-making support for local economic and trade cooperation under the BRI framework and methodological guidance for addressing practical issues in China-foreign economic and trade cooperation.

Over the course of one week, the research team traveled through three locations in Hunan, adopting a micro-level perspective to meticulously and thoroughly explore the practical pathways of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as the mechanisms of government-enterprise interaction. The spirit of "enduring hardship, persevering with tenacity and maintaining patience" became the core ethos motivating each member of the research team.