China-Africa Development Dialogue: 2025 Overseas Elite Program on Governance Holds First Class Meeting

Wang Wen, Dean of School of Global Leadership and Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the symbolic meaning of the Year of the Horse. He noted that the "horse" represents endeavor and breakthroughs, coinciding with the inaugural year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, symbolizing a new starting point for the development of both China and Africa. This class meeting, which centered on China's 15th Five-Year Plan, aimed to help the students gain a forward-looking understanding of China’s development trajectory and provide valuable insights for sustainable development in Africa. Dean Wang also encouraged students to continue their research on China, stating that the school would build stronger cooperative bridges to support each student in becoming a key contributor to the common development of China and Africa.

Following this, Ding Zhuang, Associate Research Fellow at Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, delivered a thematic lecture on " What Will China Bring to the World During the ‘15th Five-Year Plan’ Period（2026-2030）？" He systematically analyzed current changes in the international economic and social landscape, provided an in-depth interpretation of China’s development goals, strategic priorities, and policy directions during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, and offered prospects for cooperation between China and Africa in areas such as infrastructure, digital economy, and green transformation.

Jiang Xiaoli, Deputy Dean of School of Global Leadership, gave a presentation on "Traditional Chinese Spring Festival Culture," introducing students the historical origins, evolution through dynasties, and contemporary customs of the Chinese New Year. Starting from the cultural core and social significance of the Spring Festival, she used vivid examples and festive visuals to help students gain a deeper understanding of the rich connotations of this important festival. This not only conveyed the unique charm of Chinese culture but also enhanced students’ emotional connection to Chinese society and customs.

During the student sharing session, outstanding students including John Mongella, Deputy Secretary-General of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Tanzania; Joramu Nkumbi, Assistant to the Secretary-General of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Tanzania; Enock Dambudzo, Legal Bureau Director of the Umguza Regional Youth League of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF); Mosepja Karabo Mohale, Member of the African National Congress (ANC), South Africa; and António Samuel Sumbo, Member of Sequele Municipal Committee, People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), Assistant, Women’s Organization, shared their perspectives on China’s 15th Five-Year Plan based on their national situation. They acknowledged the significant reference value of China’s medium- and long-term planning system and its execution capabilities, noting that African countries can draw valuable lessons from these experiences to explore development paths suited to their own realities. They also expressed strong interest in traditional Chinese culture, particularly the customs of the Spring Festival, and emphasized that cultural exchanges and mutual learning of ideas are important dimensions of China-Africa cooperation.

This class meeting is one of a series of academic activities conducted by the students after returning to their home countries. It has fully taken the program’s innovative "four-track" cultivating model into practice, which integrates "theoretical teaching, think tank cooperation, field research, and roundtable dialogue," further strengthening the academic network and cross-cultural connections among students.

The class meeting was moderated by Zhang Yang, International Project Director of the School of Global Leadership and Class Supervisor of the program. Zhang Yibo, Deputy Dean of the School of Global Leadership, Zhuang Xuejiao, Deputy Dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, and other faculty representatives also attended the class meeting.