By Héribert-Label Élisée Adjovi - Governor of the Pan-African Magazine of Diplomacy and International Relations "Le Label Diplomatique", Chairman of the African Journalists Caucus for the Global South Community Destiny and President of the Xi'an Think Tank for Sino-African Cooperation and Development
From the solemnity of the “Two Sessions” in the capital Beijing to the diverse discoveries in Zhejiang Province, this return journal to Cotonou recounts the experience of an African journalist invited to observe, understand, and bear witness. Between institutions and provinces, between protocol and encounters, China reveals its many faces, from March 4th to 14th, 2026.
Beijing and the “Two Sessions”
The Chinese capital was adorned with solemnity to host the 4th Session of the 14th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC - March 4, 2026) and the 4th Session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC - March 5, 2026). In the vast halls of the Great Hall of the People, red flags and state symbols framed a meticulously choreographed ritual, where every gesture seemed to carry the memory of a long political tradition. This, in the presence of President Xi Jinping, a faithful witness and guarantor of the sovereignty of the Chinese people.
The opening ceremonies, marked by discipline and gravity, set the tone: China presented itself as a nation in dialogue with itself, intent on combining stability and innovation. Official speeches emphasized the priorities of the moment — economic development, technological modernization, ecological balance, and international openness.
On the sidelines of the “Two Sessions,” I had the opportunity, in partnership with CGTN-French, to conduct a series of interviews, notably with the Ambassador of Benin to Beijing, Franck Eugène Wilfried Adjagba, and the Founder & CEO of Impact Plus, Marcel Effon. At the same time, I participated in programs organized by CGTN-French, including two roundtables: one on the “Two Sessions” and another on the annual high-level press conference led by the renowned Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi.
For a foreign journalist, attending these sessions means entering the heart of a unique political system, where consultation and collective planning occupy a central place. The dominant impression is one of rigorous organization, but also of a desire to show the world an image of cohesion and confidence in the future.
Beyond the figures and resolutions, what strikes most is the atmosphere: a blend of solemn protocol and restrained energy, as if each participant bore the responsibility of a national project larger than themselves. In this monumental setting, I felt the symbolic strength of a country narrating itself through its institutions, inviting foreign partners to observe, understand, and relay this story.
Zhejiang, Between Tradition and Modernity
After the protocol intensity of the “Two Sessions” in Beijing, the journey to Zhejiang Province opened another window onto China. Here, the rhythm changes: the grand halls of deliberation give way to rolling landscapes, winding rivers, and dynamic cities where innovation meets tradition. We travelled from Beijing to Zhejiang by train on the outbound journey (March 11, 2026) and by air on the return journey (March 14, 2026).
Together with about twenty African and East European colleagues, we discovered a more intimate China — bustling markets, preserved villages, and expanding industrial zones. Zhejiang, renowned for its economic dynamism, embodies China’s ability to combine cultural heritage with accelerated modernization.
Each visit was a lesson: in enterprises, technology and innovation revealed a China oriented toward the future. This contrast between the solemnity of institutions and the vitality of the provinces struck me deeply. For my eighth trip to China, it reminded me that the country is not limited to Beijing, but is a mosaic of living territories, each carrying a strong identity.
Through encounters, I sensed an unexpected closeness: the concerns of Zhejiang’s inhabitants — sustainable development, balance between tradition and modernity, openness to the world — resonate with those of many African nations. This journey was therefore more than a cultural discovery; it was a mirror, an invitation to reflect on possible convergences between our continents.
At the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine (SAHZU), scientific rigor and medical innovation testified to a determination to place public health at the heart of development. The visit to Unitree Robotics confirmed this technological ambition: quadruped robots, designed for civil and industrial uses, embodied a China oriented toward the future.
The Urban Exhibition Center of Hangzhou’s Future Science and Technology City offered a forward-looking vision: a city conceived as a laboratory of innovation, where urban planning embraces technology. At Zhejiang University, academic excellence and international research highlighted the importance of education as a driver of cooperation. Rokid is a pioneer in augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI), specializing in lightweight smart glasses and virtual entertainment. Their models, such as the Rokid Max and the new Rokid Glasses (2025/2026), feature a high‑resolution Micro‑OLED display for cinema, gaming, and AI applications, connecting via USB‑C to a variety of devices.
But the journey was not only institutional. In Xinchangle Village, meeting the inhabitants and discovering local traditions brought a human and cultural dimension, rooted in rural memory. The International Jewelry City of Eastern China and the Yiwu International Trade Zone revealed the power of commercial exchanges, where craftsmanship and globalization intersect.
The Global Digital Trade Center illustrated the transition to a connected economy, positioning China as a major player in global e-commerce. Finally, the Jiming Mountain Community offered a soothing contrast: a living space where nature and culture converge, reminding us that development cannot be conceived without harmony with the environment.
From Beijing to Zhejiang, from the solemn halls of the Great Hall of the People to mountain villages, this journey was a passage through the multiple dimensions of China. The ceremonial in the capital showed me the discipline and strategic vision of a country in motion; the guided visits in the province revealed its humanity, creativity, and shared aspirations.
As an African journalist, I perceived strong resonances: the quest for modernization, the importance of education, the vitality of trade, but also the necessity of preserving traditions and the environment. This return journal is therefore more than a travel account: it is an invitation to reflect on possible convergences between China and Africa, and to build lasting bridges between our continents.
Conclusion
This journey to China, from the solemn protocol of the “Two Sessions” to the diverse discoveries in Zhejiang, was far more than a journalistic mission. It was a passage through contrasts: between institutions and provinces, between cutting-edge technology and living traditions, between national debates and local encounters.
Each stage — whether SAHZU, Unitree Robotics, Zhejiang University, Yiwu’s markets, or Xinchangle Village — revealed a facet of a country in motion, eager to innovate without losing its soul. I saw a China that narrates itself through its institutions, but also a China lived daily in its communities, its know-how, and its shared ambitions.
For Africa, this account is an invitation: to observe, to dialogue, to cooperate. The resonances are strong — in the quest for modernization, in the importance of education, in the vitality of trade, but also in the necessity of preserving our traditions and environments.
This return journal is therefore not merely a travelogue. It is a bridge, a passageway between continents, a promise that our shared perspectives can foster mutual understanding and build lasting alliances. China has shown me its many faces; it is up to us, Africans, to respond with our own narratives and to trace together the paths of a shared future — in the pure dynamic of a community of shared destiny for humanity, three years after the Global Civilization Initiative. Proposals that come from President Xi Jinping, adopted by more than 150 nations and international organizations.