On Nov. 4, the 2026 "Horn of Africa Think Tank Scholars Seminar", hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and organized by Sichuan Normal University, visited Cangxi County in Sichuan Province for a field study tour. Twelve think tank experts and media representatives from Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti, Uganda, Somalia, and South Sudan went to the front lines in Cangxi to observe the county's development achievements firsthand and experience its vibrant practices in rural revitalization, cultural heritage preservation, and industrial innovation.

Seminar participants pose for a group photo along the Jialing River.

During the day, the delegation visited the Cangxi County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiuyi Carpet Co., Ltd., the Hangzhou-Guangyuan East-West Cooperation (Cangxi) Digital Industrial Park, Lixian Lake Wetland Park, and Binjiang Road in the urban area. The participants observed key initiatives including the inheritance of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) culture, innovation in intangible cultural heritage industries, digital economy development, outcomes of east-west cooperation, and ecological civilization construction. They also learned about Cangxi's experiences and practices in cultural protection, industrial upgrading, ecological governance, and consolidating and expanding poverty alleviation achievements, while gaining insight into the county's urban modernization and local customs. At each stop, participants listened attentively to briefings and engaged in detailed exchanges, expressing high appreciation for Cangxi's diversified development model that integrates tradition with modernity and advances ecology alongside industry.

Seminar participants view Qiping silk tapestries, a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage item.

"This city is impressive, having achieved a commendable level of modernization and development, and it is also very beautiful!" said Mutinda Mutisya Kyule, director of the University of Nairobi's Africa Center for the Study of China. Participants also noted that Cangxi's integrated development model combining cultural heritage, ecological civilization, and characteristic industries was highly inspiring. They expressed hope to bring back what they had seen and heard to their home countries to promote experience sharing in cultural preservation and industrial development, continuously enhance people-to-people friendship between China and Africa, and solidify the public foundation for China-Africa cooperation.

Seminar participants observe TCM physiotherapy demonstrations at the county hospital.

This study tour successfully established an external exchange and showcase platform for Cangxi targeting Horn of Africa nations. Leveraging the international perspectives of overseas think tanks and media representatives, the event effectively highlighted Cangxi's characteristic industries, traditional culture, and ecological advantages, significantly enhancing the county's international visibility and reputation. It has written a vivid chapter for Cangxi in deepening subnational people-to-people exchanges and mutual learning between China and Africa.

Moving forward, Cangxi County will continue to utilize various foreign-related exchange platforms, further expand opening-up, actively tell the story of Cangxi's development, and deepen international exchanges and cooperation to support the high-quality economic and social development of the county.