He Rusheng (right), deputy director general of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, meets with Yacuba Katile, president of Mali's Economic, Social, Environmental and Cultural Council, in Guangzhou on April 16. [Photo/en.gdfao.gov.cn]

He Rusheng, deputy director general of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, met with Yacuba Katile, president of Mali's Economic, Social, Environmental and Cultural Council, in Guangzhou on April 16.

He welcomed the delegation and noted that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Mali. He highlighted the growing trade between Guangdong and Mali since the Malian Consulate General opened in Guangzhou in 2011 and expressed hope that both sides will leverage platforms like the Canton Fair to boost trade and seize opportunities presented by China's zero-tariff policy for African nations.

He also called for enhanced people-to-people exchanges under the 2026 China-Africa Year of Cultural Exchange and deeper vocational education collaboration through student and teacher exchanges.

Katile, visiting Guangdong for the ninth time, praised the brotherly ties between the two nations and expressed eagerness to expand cooperation. Malian Consul General Mamadou Dembélé also attended the meeting.