The 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo opened today in Changsha, marking four days of vibrant exchange. Hengyang made a strong appearance in the main exhibition hall with 20 featured enterprises and a host of innovative achievements, showcasing its economic vitality and growing ties with Africa.

At booth TB05 in Hall W3 of the Changsha International Convention and Exhibition Center, a “tech-savvy wild goose” spreads its wings to soar. The Hengyang Pavilion, themed “Geese Dance Along the Silk Road, Digital Innovation Shapes the Future,” features a bold, open-concept design dominated by hues of blue. Blending high-tech elements with the cultural legacy of “Yancheng” (Wild Goose City, a nickname for Hengyang), the pavilion presents a full-spectrum view of the city’s economic development, achievements in China-Africa cooperation, and cultural exchange.

When stepping into the core exhibition area, Hengyang’s industrial strength takes center stage. From TBEA’s contributions to Africa’s power grids to “Africa-customized” tractors boosting local agricultural modernization, the city’s robust “Manufacturing-Oriented Development” strategy is on full display. Twenty top-tier Hengyang enterprises bring forth advanced solutions in power transmission, agricultural machinery, cable manufacturing, and metal processing, seamlessly aligning with Africa’s development needs.

But Hengyang’s appeal goes beyond industrial muscle. Its “soft power” in cultural tourism is also vividly present. In the light industry and trade zone, fashion-forward samples from the Xiangnan Textile Industry Base integrate distinctive Hengyang design elements. Specialty teas from Hengcha Import & Export Company fill the air with the delicate fragrance of Hunan. Iconic sites such as Mount Heng, Shigu Academy, and Dongzhou Island are vividly featured, sparking admiration and wanderlust among visitors.

Even the design of the pavilion itself is a tribute to cultural fusion—its curved dome and dynamic lighting strips evoke the majestic imagery of geese flying thousands of miles, a totem of Hengyang’s spirit. With technology as its framework and culture as its soul, Hengyang is building a powerful bridge across continents, soaring into dialogue with Africa.

At the open-style business matchmaking zone, the atmosphere is lively and engaged. Digital screens loop promotional videos of Hengyang and introduce a series of preferential policies aimed at African partners. African business representatives actively engage with Hengyang entrepreneurs, studying detailed project listings and policy booklets. “World-class manufacturing capabilities, rich cultural heritage, and pragmatic cooperation incentives—Hengyang is the ideal partner we’ve been searching for,” many visitors remarked.

According to an official from the Hengyang Municipal Bureau of Commerce, the city aims to transform the expo’s attention into tangible trade growth, using this platform to expand the reach of Hengyang’s distinctive industries into broader global markets.

Translator: Jing