Global dialogue event in Cape Town discusses China-Africa cooperation in science, technology, culture

A high-level dialogue between Chinese and African officials, researchers and students was held in Cape Town, South Africa on Tuesday to discuss China-Africa cooperation in science, technology and cultural areas.

The event, called "China in Springtime: China's Development Opportunities for the World", focused on the outcomes of China's "two sessions," which approved China's 15th Five-Year Plan for 2026-2030 that maps out the country's high-quality path toward modernization, and explored opportunities for cooperation between China and the African countries.

Hosted by China Media Group (CMG), event participants discussed China's development priorities and their global implications for the next five year period.

Many agreed that China's development presents an opportunity for the world, and China's stability will inject more certainty into the international community, adding that the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges provides a new opportunity for deepening exchanges and cooperation between China and Africa.

Many participants said that China and African countries should jointly promote the building of an even closer China-Africa community with a shared future through more open and inclusive dialogue and cooperation.

At the event, several guests from South African academic, business, and educational circles discussed themed topics such as "Technology Empowering Modernization: New Momentum for China-Africa Innovation Cooperation" and "Mutual Learning Among Civilizations and Global Communication: New Frontiers for China-Africa Media Cooperation".

The event also featured screenings of several CMG productions, including a cultural program introducing China's ancient and modern technologies and the thrilling robotic martial arts performance from CMG's 2026 Spring Festival Gala.

Global dialogue event in Cape Town discusses China-Africa cooperation in science, technology, culture

The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday decided to maintain its target range for the federal funds rate at 3.5-3.75 percent, in line with market expectations.

"Available indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace. Job gains have remained low, and the unemployment rate has been little changed in recent months. Inflation remains somewhat elevated," said the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) in a statement.

Nevertheless, "uncertainty about the economic outlook remains elevated. The implications of developments in the Middle East for the U.S. economy are uncertain. The Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate," the statement said.

"In support of its goals, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3-1/2 to 3-3/4 percent," the statement said. "In considering the extent and timing of additional adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks."

In the statement, the FOMC reiterated its strong commitment to supporting maximum employment and returning inflation to its 2 percent objective.

Of the 12 FOMC members, 11 voted for keeping the rate unchanged. Stephen Miran voted against the action. He preferred to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points at the meeting.

U.S. Fed keeps interest rate unchanged at 3.5-3.75 pct