Solar trade can drive Sino-African industrialization forward

At the Summer Davos in Dalian, Premier Li Qiang argued that what some call "China Shock 2.0" should instead be viewed as "China Opportunity 2.0".

China-Africa energy cooperation offers a compelling example. While some Western countries see China's strength in solar panels, batteries and electric vehicles as a competitive threat, many African countries see the same technologies as an opportunity to expand electricity access, accelerate industrialization and create jobs.

Recent customs data offer a revealing hint about the future of China-Africa economic cooperation. In April, China's exports of solar cells and panels to African countries rose 83 percent year-on-year, reaching 123,787 metric tons.