The 25th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) opened on Monday in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, attracting delegations from over 120 countries and regions, and 11 international organizations.
Themed on "Join Hands with China, Invest in the Future," the event includes an exhibition covering an area of 120,000 square meters and will host more than 100 investment promotion activities, with 51 countries and regions to host exhibitions.
The Ministry of Commerce has organized several chambers of commerce to release the index of China's outbound investment activities for the first time at the fair. And bilateral and multilateral investment events will also be held, serving as important platforms for mutually beneficial cooperation.
This year's CIFIT features exhibition zones centering on three subjects of "Invest in China," "China's Investment" and "International Investment," alongside multiple forums and the release of over 20 special reports.
This year's fair also utilizes big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and other technological approaches to improve the functions of "Cloud CIFIT," building a system to connect online and offline platforms, in order to promote the precise matching of projects and capital.
At present, 4,000 projects have been presented at the "Cloud CIFIT," providing an effective channel for real-time interaction between investors and fund-raising parties.
A dedicated business promotion zone for industries will be established to highlight the development of new quality productive forces, displaying innovative technologies and high-quality projects in digital technology, green low-carbon, new energy, and other emerging fields. More than 100 roadshows will also create further cooperation opportunities for participants.
This year's CIFIT will run till Thursday, while it also serves as a bridge for Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) participating countries and regions, fostering closer ties and promoting practical cooperation.
First launched in 1997, the CIFIT, sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce, has become an important platform for boosting investment and facilitating global development.
Int'l investment, trade fair opens in Xiamen
A solar-powered borehole drilling program supported by China has expanded water access across Zimbabwe's rural and peri-urban communities, strengthening disaster recovery and sustaining livelihoods since Cyclone Idai struck in 2019.
Tropical Cyclone Idai entered Zimbabwe from neighboring Mozambique, triggering floods and causing tragic losses of life and property.
Launched under a Chinese government initiative to restore water and sanitation services after cyclones and drought, the program has delivered lasting benefits.
At Mahusekwa Growth Point, where boreholes were drilled last year, reliable water now sustains dozens of small businesses and households, underscoring how the intervention continues to shape community resilience seven years on.
"We now have clean water to wash our products and for customers to wash their hands before they eat. We also fetch water to use at our homes because there is an intermittent supply," said Cynthia Garan'nga, a market vendor.
Reliable water access has also created employment opportunities, especially for young entrepreneurs such as car wash owner Loveness Marabwanya.
"Maybe I was going to get people to fetch water for me from the river, but it's very far and I was going to pay more for that. To imagine that the water is just like a few meters away, it's very easy and convenient for me," she said.
The borehole is solar powered, which means the community can access water at any hour of the day, and that refers to greater reliability and sustainability. There are no longer any limitations of fuel costs or power cuts.
Mahusekwa is one of more than 300 communities nationwide benefiting from boreholes drilled under Chinese disaster assistance. Around 60 of them are in Mashonaland East, where water shortages had long slowed development and undermined food security.
"These boreholes came at the right time. Remember the last two or three years we have been having droughts," said Jeremiah Gwanzura, chairperson of Marondera Rural District Council.
Gwanzura says the availability of water is sustaining livelihoods and boosting production, even during prolonged dry spells.
"We have livelihoods in terms of livestock cattle, people are doing boilers behind the scenes, road runners, goats, piggery projects within the rural set-up, and if there is the missing link of water, it means we are going nowhere. Some of the areas in the rural areas are using it for nutritional gardens, going to the market, so they will be watering their vegetables, they will be watering their plants," he said.
At a national level, authorities say the boreholes reflect a shift from emergency response to long-term resilience.
"In any disaster recovery programme, what we always talk about is building-back better. And I'm sure this principle of building-back better, you can actually see it in the way that we are establishing these boreholes in Chimanimani, Masvingo, Midlands and Mashonaland East," said Nathan Nkomo, chief director of the Civil Protection Department.
Beyond water access, China has also supported food security through agricultural training, helping communities rebuild stronger and more sustainably in the years since Cyclone Idai.
China-supported borehole program expands water access, strengthens Zimbabwe's disaster recovery
