Odjo Rachald(Chinese name: Qiao Li), a 25-year-old entrepreneur from Benin, formed his first memories of China while watching Jackie Chan movies and practicing Kong Fu moves with friends in Cotonou, his hometown.

25歲的創(chuàng)業(yè)青年奧德喬·拉查爾德（音譯），中文名叫喬力，來自非洲貝寧,。最初，他對(duì)中國的第一印象源于幼時(shí)在家鄉(xiāng)科托努看到的由成龍出演的電影，以及與小伙伴們練習(xí)功夫動(dòng)作的嬉戲,。

"Kong Fu has taken me on a journey into the depths of Chinese culture, and seeing this stunning country has always been my dream," said Odjo, adding that Jackie Chan's "Drunken Master" is his favorite movie.

“功夫讓我更深入地了解了中國文化的精髓，而親眼看看這個(gè)令人驚嘆的國家一直是我的夢(mèng)想,?！眴塘€補(bǔ)充說：“成龍的《醉拳》是我最喜歡的電影?！?/p>

Little did he know that a few years later, he would visit China, the homeland of his revered Kong Fu masters, and become a master in his own right—this time, though, in business.

他做夢(mèng)也沒想到,，幾年后他會(huì)來到中國——這個(gè)他敬仰已久的功夫大師的故鄉(xiāng)，并且自己也成了一位“大師”——不過,，這一次是作為一位商人,。

At 18, he seriously contemplated pursuing higher education in business to make a change for his country. After watching a TV show about China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), he saw that his future was set in China.

18歲時(shí)，他認(rèn)真考慮過接受商貿(mào)方面的高等教育,，為國效力,。在看了一檔關(guān)于共建“一帶一路”倡議的電視節(jié)目后，他意識(shí)到自己的未來在中國,。

"Having witnessed firsthand the positive effects of the BRI on Benin, I am convinced that this initiative is the wave of the future. I feel I can establish my career in China and promote African-Chinese ties, so I opted to attend university in China," Odjo stated.

“在我親眼見證了共建‘一帶一路’倡議給貝寧帶來的積極影響后,，我堅(jiān)信這一倡議是未來的大勢(shì)所趨。我覺得自己可以在中國建立事業(yè),，促進(jìn)中非關(guān)系,，因此我選擇了到中國上大學(xué)?！眴塘Ρ硎?。

Like the Kong Fu master in his favorite Chinese movie, Odjo discovered his life's purpose through hard work and study. After living in China for five years, Odjo gained a degree in international business, became fluent in Chinese, made many Chinese friends, and finally jumped on the BRI bandwagon to realize his business dream in China.

就像他最喜歡的電影里的功夫大師一樣，喬力通過勤奮學(xué)習(xí)找到了自己的人生目標(biāo),。在中國生活的五年間,，喬力獲得了國際經(jīng)濟(jì)與貿(mào)易專業(yè)的學(xué)士學(xué)位,，精通中文，結(jié)交了許多中國朋友,，并最終搭上了“一帶一路”的快車,，在中國實(shí)現(xiàn)了自己的商業(yè)夢(mèng)想。

According to data from China's Ministry of Commerce, China has remained Africa's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, with bilateral trade reaching a record 282.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. Odjo thinks that young Africans like him will have more chances as trade between China and Africa increases and that China can be a place where they can achieve their aspirations.

商務(wù)部數(shù)據(jù)顯示,，中國已連續(xù)15年成為非洲第一大貿(mào)易伙伴,，2023年中非貿(mào)易額達(dá)到歷史峰值2821億美元。喬力認(rèn)為,，隨著中非貿(mào)易的增長(zhǎng),，像他這樣的非洲年輕人將擁有更多的機(jī)會(huì)，中國將會(huì)成為他們實(shí)現(xiàn)夢(mèng)想的地方,。

"When I look back, moving to China and establishing my own business here was among the best life decisions I've ever made," Odjo told People's Daily Online.

“現(xiàn)在回過頭去看,，搬來中國并在這里創(chuàng)立自己的事業(yè)是我所做得最好的人生決定之一?！眴塘Ω嬖V人民網(wǎng)記者,。

A business dream that grows in China

在中國追逐“貿(mào)易夢(mèng)”

Having spent over four years studying and living in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Odjo has become proficient in Chinese and has fallen head over heels for the beautiful city.

在中國中部湖南長(zhǎng)沙學(xué)習(xí)生活四年后，喬力已經(jīng)熟練掌握中文,，并且深深地愛上了這座美麗的城市,。

"Changsha is now my second hometown. I enjoy its famous stinky tofu, most of my friends are locals, and every time I travel to other Chinese cities, I have to find a restaurant that makes spicy Changsha food," said Odjo.

“長(zhǎng)沙現(xiàn)在就是我的第二故鄉(xiāng)。我很喜歡這里著名的美食臭豆腐,，我的朋友很多也都是長(zhǎng)沙人,。每次我去中國其他城市旅游，我都要找一家能做長(zhǎng)沙菜的餐館嘗嘗,?！眴塘Ψ窒碚f。

What he appreciates most about Changsha, besides its welcoming locals and lovely culture, is the city's strong links to Africa and the supportive policies that encourage young foreigners to create their businesses.

除了熱情好客的當(dāng)?shù)厝撕陀押糜H切的文化,，他對(duì)長(zhǎng)沙最欣賞的地方就是，這座城市與非洲間的緊密聯(lián)系以及鼓勵(lì)海外青年創(chuàng)業(yè)的扶持政策,。

Data shows that in recent years, Hunan Province has bettered its commercial connections to Africa. In 2023, the province's trade with Africa was worth 55.67 billion yuan ($7.83 billion), reflecting an average annual growth rate of 23.1 percent over the previous three years.

數(shù)據(jù)顯示,，近年來湖南省與非洲的商業(yè)聯(lián)系日益增強(qiáng)。2023年湖南對(duì)非進(jìn)出口達(dá)556.7億元（約合78.3億美元）,，近三年年均增長(zhǎng)23.1%,。

Odjo, an international business student, investigated the demand in the Chinese market extensively and discovered that cashew nuts and pineapples, two agricultural products from Africa, are immensely popular with Chinese consumers. Meanwhile, Hunan, the birthplace of hybrid rice, has used its expertise to support African agricultural development. The province has renovated agricultural technology stations and built agricultural demonstration centers as part of more than 40 agricultural cooperation projects with Africa.

學(xué)習(xí)國貿(mào)專業(yè)的喬力，在深入研究了中國市場(chǎng)的需求后,，發(fā)現(xiàn)來自非洲的腰果和菠蘿兩種農(nóng)產(chǎn)品深受中國消費(fèi)者的喜愛,。與此同時(shí)，湖南——雜交水稻的發(fā)源地,，利用其技術(shù)專長(zhǎng)支持非洲農(nóng)業(yè)發(fā)展,，已在40多項(xiàng)與非洲的農(nóng)業(yè)合作項(xiàng)目中改造了當(dāng)?shù)氐霓r(nóng)業(yè)技術(shù)站并建立了農(nóng)業(yè)示范中心,。

"Our Chinese friends may get to know Benin by sampling our cashew nuts and pineapples, and my goal has always been to help them learn more about my home country. That's why I started my business in Changsha," Odjo explained.

“中國朋友可以通過品嘗我們的腰果和菠蘿來了解貝寧，我的目標(biāo)一直就是幫助他們更多地了解我的祖國,。這也是我在長(zhǎng)沙創(chuàng)業(yè)的原因,。”奧德喬解釋說,。

Achieving Odjo's dream has been made possible by Changsha's favourable policies directed towards young foreign entrepreneurs. An entrepreneurship port was set up in the Changsha Area of the Hunan Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in June 2023 to create a more conducive setting for young entrepreneurs. In 2024, Odjo became the first young foreigner to get a business visa and launch his company Rico Interstellar Trading Co., Ltd in the Hunan FTZ that year, thanks to the collaboration between his university, Central South University, and the Entrepreneurship Port.

喬力的夢(mèng)想能夠?qū)崿F(xiàn),，得益于長(zhǎng)沙支持海外青年創(chuàng)業(yè)的有利政策。2023年6月,，中國（湖南）自由貿(mào)易試驗(yàn)區(qū)長(zhǎng)沙片區(qū)設(shè)立國際青年創(chuàng)業(yè)港,，為年輕創(chuàng)業(yè)者們提供了更好的環(huán)境。2024年,，在中南大學(xué)和國際青年創(chuàng)業(yè)港的合作下,，喬力成為中國（湖南）自由貿(mào)易試驗(yàn)區(qū)首位獲得“創(chuàng)業(yè)簽證”的外籍青年，并創(chuàng)立了長(zhǎng)沙里科星際貿(mào)易有限公司,。

"The Entrepreneurship Port is centered on collaborating with Chinese universities to recruit and train international students in China and guiding outstanding international youths to work and start businesses in Changsha. I think it's a great idea because young foreigners like me can become experts in trade and help connect our countries with China," said Odjo.

“國際青年創(chuàng)業(yè)港致力于與中國高校合作,，在中國招募和培訓(xùn)國際青年，并引導(dǎo)優(yōu)秀國際青年在長(zhǎng)工作創(chuàng)業(yè),。我認(rèn)為這是一個(gè)很棒的主意,，因?yàn)橄裎疫@樣的外籍青年可以成為貿(mào)易領(lǐng)域的‘里手’，并幫助我們的國家與中國進(jìn)行連接,?！眴塘Ρ硎尽?/span>

According to Odjo, he has been collaborating with clients from Africa and China since he launched his business in August this year, and that he is now in talks about prospective orders worth over $300,000.

喬力介紹,，自今年8月開始經(jīng)營(yíng)業(yè)務(wù)以來,，他一直在與中非兩國的客戶進(jìn)行合作，目前已有在談意向訂單約30萬美元,。
"As a young African, my business dreams begin in China," said Odjo.

“作為一個(gè)非洲青年,，我的‘貿(mào)易夢(mèng)’卻能從中國啟航?！眴塘φf,。

Build a bridge between China and Africa

搭建中非橋梁

Odjo is currently in Angola on a business trip. He intends to tour six African nations to discover new prospects and bring more African products back to China. This would assist African countries in improving their economic relations with China.

喬力目前正在安哥拉出差。他計(jì)劃走訪六個(gè)非洲國家,，尋找新的商機(jī),，并將更多的非洲產(chǎn)品帶到中國，助力促進(jìn)中非國家間的經(jīng)濟(jì)關(guān)系,。

In 2024, China has granted zero tariffs to Least Developed Countries with established diplomatic relations, making it the first major developing nation and first major economy to take such a step. Benin, Odjo's home country, is also on the list.

2024年,，中國對(duì)與之建交的最不發(fā)達(dá)國家實(shí)施了100%稅目產(chǎn)品的零關(guān)稅政策，成為首個(gè)采取這一舉措的主要發(fā)展中國家和首個(gè)主要經(jīng)濟(jì)體,。喬力的母國貝寧也在名單之列,。

"The more I learn about the BRI nations' accomplishments, the prouder I get of my job. I also feel like I am working for a great initiative uniting China and Africa," said Odjo.

“我對(duì)參與共建‘一帶一路’倡議沿線國家的成就了解得越多,，就越為自己的工作感到自豪。我覺得我在為一個(gè)將中國和非洲緊密聯(lián)系在一起的偉大倡議而工作,?！眴塘φf。

Odjo told People's Daily Online that he intends to facilitate services allowing Chinese businesses, particularly private ones and those with smaller operations, to invest more effectively in Africa. While Chinese investments in Africa are frequently represented by large state-owned corporations building railways, ports, and power plants, smaller private companies are increasingly credited with promoting commerce, creating jobs, and channeling technology and capital into various sectors.

喬力告訴人民網(wǎng)記者,，他想繼續(xù)增進(jìn)業(yè)務(wù)范圍,，讓中國企業(yè)，特別是民營(yíng)企業(yè)和規(guī)模較小的企業(yè),，能夠更有效地在非洲進(jìn)行投資,。雖然中國在非洲的投資往往由大型國有企業(yè)負(fù)責(zé)建設(shè)鐵路、港口和發(fā)電廠等基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施,，但越來越多的小型民營(yíng)企業(yè)因其促進(jìn)貿(mào)易,、創(chuàng)造就業(yè)機(jī)會(huì)和將技術(shù)投資引入各行業(yè)而受到贊譽(yù)。

In recent years, China has implemented several institutions to promote private-sector cooperation with Africa, including the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo and the China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone. With its strengths in agricultural technology, equipment production, and infrastructure building, Hunan typically hosts such pioneering initiatives.

近年來,，中國實(shí)施了多項(xiàng)促進(jìn)中非民營(yíng)部門合作的機(jī)制,，包括中非經(jīng)貿(mào)博覽會(huì)和中國（湖南）自由貿(mào)易試驗(yàn)區(qū)。湖南憑借在農(nóng)業(yè)技術(shù),、設(shè)備生產(chǎn)和基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施建設(shè)方面的優(yōu)勢(shì),，成為此類開創(chuàng)性舉措的典型承載地。

"I hope that China opens more industries in Africa and that the two sides work together more closely in solar power, agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure. This will benefit Chinese enterprises while creating more job opportunities for young Africans," said Odjo.

喬力表示：“我希望中國在非洲開放更多產(chǎn)業(yè),，雙方在太陽能,、農(nóng)業(yè)、旅游和基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施等領(lǐng)域加強(qiáng)合作,。這將有利于中國企業(yè),，同時(shí)為非洲年輕人創(chuàng)造更多就業(yè)機(jī)會(huì)?！?/p>

"I hope my experiences can help other young Africans and my Chinese friends better understand each other's cultures and countries. I wish we could build more cultural centers in Africa to show our people Chinese martial arts and cultural products," he said.

他說：“我希望我的經(jīng)歷能幫助其他非洲年輕人和我的中國朋友們更好地了解彼此的文化和國家,。我希望我們?cè)诜侵弈芙⒏嗟奈幕行模蛭覀兊娜嗣裾故局袊湫g(shù)和文化產(chǎn)品,?！?/p>

"After all, Chinese Kung Fu is how my China dream started," added Odjo.

“畢竟，中國功夫就是我中國夢(mèng)的起點(diǎn),。”喬力補(bǔ)充說,。