On July 9, Li Gan, Vice Mayor of Jingzhou, met with François Nkuna Balumuene, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Congo-Kinshasa to China, and his delegation.

Li Gan welcomed François Ncuna Ballumuene and his delegation, and introduced the history, culture, and economic and social development of Jingzhou. He said that the value of trade between Jingzhou and Africa last year was USD100 million, up by 116 percent, including USD556,000 worth of trade between Jingzhou and Congo-Kinshasa, up by 24.7 percent. This shows intensifying economic cooperation between the two sides. He hoped that both sides\ would better leverage local strengths based on this visit and under the strategic guidance of presidents of China and Congo-Kinshasa, rev up efforts to build platforms, expand cooperation in agriculture, education, cultural tourism, among other fields, and contribute to cultural exchanges between the two countries.

François Nkuna Ballumuene appreciated the invitation from Jingzhou, where he felt the unique charm of the city. He said that, Congo-Kinshasa was home to abundant natural and mineral resource and willing to further scale up cooperation with Jingzhou, and promote agricultural, scientific, and educational exchanges between the two sides for mutual benefit and a win-win situation.

Other attendants included Wang Jianping, Secretary of the Party Committee of Yangtze University.