The 3rd China Merchants Group ‘C Star’ program concludes successfully
By Published: Sep 24, 2025 08:16 PM
On the afternoon of September 23, the closing ceremony of the 3rd China Merchants Group C Star Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program (hereinafter referred to as the "C Star" program) and the Youth Leadership Dialogue were held at Peking University. Jiang Tiefeng, Vice General Manager of China Merchants Group, Dong Zhiyong, Vice President of Peking University; Hodan Osman Abdi, Ambassador of Somalia to China, and Lynette Mwende Ndile, Deputy Ambassador of Kenya to China; Wang Shaodan, Secretary-general of China-Africa Development Fund; and Bai Long, Board Chairman of the Global Times Foundation, attended and delivered speeches. Also present at the event were Li Qi, Counselor of the Department of African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Zhang Yihao, Deputy Director of the News Center of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council; Yu Zhiliang, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the Board of Directors of China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Holdings; Wang Zhiyun, Director of the Secretariat of the China NGO Network for International Exchanges; as well as all participants of the 3rd "C Star" program and representatives from various sectors.
Jiang Tiefeng extended warm congratulations on the successful conclusion of the 3rd "C Star" program. He said that the three sessions of the "C Star" program have made remarkable achievements in implementing the Global Development Initiative, supporting African entrepreneurship competitions, and advancing vertical business fields. It has been included in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan and the Concept Paper of 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, helping to build a bridge of friendship for Chinese and African youth to co-create, co-construct, and co-share at a higher level and in a broader scope. China Merchants Group has always upheld the concept of "business for good, mutual benefit and win-win," and built the "C Star" program into a diversified, highly empowering, and sustainable "Nest of Dreams."
He hoped that young people would take this as a starting point to contribute entrepreneurial achievements to a better future in the fertile soil of the times.
On behalf of Peking University, Dong Zhiyong welcomed all guests and participants. He stated that Peking University actively responds to the national call and is committed to promoting China-Africa educational and people-to-people exchanges. It hopes to work with the "C Star" program and all sectors of society to continuously deepen cooperation between China, Africa, and Belt and Road Initiative partner countries, and contribute to building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.
Hodan Osman Abdi noted that the "C Star" program helps enhance the innovation awareness of African youth in fields such as science and technology, agriculture, and culture. She encouraged the participants to seize opportunities, maintain resilience, and actively apply the experience they have learned to address local challenges and shape the future of Africa.
Lynette Mwende Ndile said that the return visit of two Kenyan participants to China once again demonstrates the influence and sustainability of the "C Star" program. As the program has long supported the development of African youth, she expressed the hope that there would be more opportunities for China-Africa people-to-people exchanges in the future, enabling young people to empower Africa's development with Chinese experience.
Wang Shaodan said that China-Africa Development Fund and China Merchants Group are jointly committed to achieving mutual benefit, win-win results, and shared prosperity between China and Africa. In the first year of implementing the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China-Africa Development Fund will strengthen cooperation with China Merchants Group and Peking University to provide more resources for African youth to come to China and make greater contributions to China-Africa friendship.
Bai Long stated that the Global Times Foundation adheres to the mission of "gathering public love from all sectors, undertaking social responsibilities, and promoting social harmony." It will continue to focus on China-Africa cooperation projects including the "C Star" program, and to unit international communication and social forces to jointly participate in global youth innovation and entrepreneurship.
A young entrepreneur Sero from Benin, representing all participants, thanked the "C Star" program for providing platforms and resources. He stated that the innovative inspiration he gained during his trip to China is like a "seed," and he will plant this "seed" on the African continent to shape a better future for Africa.
Makena, a representative of previous participants, noted that the "C Star" program has become a youth innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem that gathers friendship. She expressed delight in witnessing the new participants join, working together to promote the rooting and germination of the seeds of entrepreneurial dreams.
Subsequently, the attending guests presented certificates of completion and commemorative plaques to the participants, bringing a successful end to their learning journey across mountains and sea.
The closing ceremony also witnessed the signing of a letter of intent for the establishment of a "C Star" special fund. As the initiators of the special fund, China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Holdings and China-Africa Development Fund will maintain close communication with donors such as Sino Group and DBS Bank. The fund aims to provide financial support, resource connection, and growth guidance for aspiring young entrepreneurs, address various challenges on their entrepreneurial journey, and help more youth entrepreneurial projects take root and thrive.
After the closing ceremony, a Youth Leadership Dialogue was held. Guests from Peking University, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, and the Global Times conducted in-depth discussions and exchanges with the participants around two topics: "Digital Intelligence Empowerment and Local Innovation" and "Cultural Integration and Consumption Upgrade."
Building on the success of first two sessions, the 3rd "C Star" program has actively explored the "two-way empowerment" between China Merchants Group's industrial resources and global youth innovation and entrepreneurship. It provides platform support and resource connection for global youth innovation and entrepreneurship, while also bringing new perspectives on international youth and overseas markets to China Merchants Group's enterprises.
During the 10-day trip to China, the participants visited four cities: Guangzhou, Dongguan, Shenzhen, and Beijing. They visited China Merchants Group's enterprises, well-known universities, and government organizations, conducted extensive cooperation exchanges and resource connections, explored new cooperation models with enterprises, and promoted the formation of synergy in youth innovation and entrepreneurship to achieve win-win development.
Program Introduction
China Merchants Group C Star Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program is an overseas public welfare initiative funded by China Merchants Foundation and led by China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Holdings for implementation. Guided by the concept of "To give people fish and you only provide them with one meal; to teach them to fish and they can benefit throughout their lives," the program supports international youth, mainly from Africa, in effectively connecting with Chinese resources and incubating entrepreneurial projects. It aims to deeply integrate Chinese experience with African vitality, serving as a vivid practice for China and Africa to jointly advance the Belt and Road Initiative.
Since its launch in 2022, the "C Star" program has successfully attracted over 1,500 young entrepreneurs from 27 countries (predominantly African). More than 500 participants have joined online training sessions, among whom 83 outstanding young entrepreneurs have taken part in study tours in China, covering nearly 90 Chinese enterprise resources. In 2024, the program was included in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan and the Concept Paper of 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, becoming one of the key projects for China-Africa cooperation and exchanges.
For the 2025 "C Star" China Tour, targeting participants in fields such as cross-border e-commerce, fintech, biomanufacturing, and smart logistics, the program has actively promoted precise connection with industrial resources. Newly added enterprise resources include: Guangzhou Panyu Innovation Park, Shenzhen Guangming Science City, Sea World Culture and Arts Center, Shekou Net Valley, Wuxi Huishan (Shenzhen) Innovation Center, XbotPark, Vipshop, MINISO, HomeFacialPro, BoShi Medical, Guangzhou CLC Group Co., Ltd, Nuo'an Intelligent, Cabin Air, Xiaomi Beijing headquarters, and other enterprises/institutions. It also includes universities such as Peking University, University of International Business and Economics, and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen).
Jiang Tiefeng extended warm congratulations on the successful conclusion of the 3rd "C Star" program. He said that the three sessions of the "C Star" program have made remarkable achievements in implementing the Global Development Initiative, supporting African entrepreneurship competitions, and advancing vertical business fields. It has been included in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan and the Concept Paper of 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, helping to build a bridge of friendship for Chinese and African youth to co-create, co-construct, and co-share at a higher level and in a broader scope. China Merchants Group has always upheld the concept of "business for good, mutual benefit and win-win," and built the "C Star" program into a diversified, highly empowering, and sustainable "Nest of Dreams."
He hoped that young people would take this as a starting point to contribute entrepreneurial achievements to a better future in the fertile soil of the times.
Jiang Tiefeng, Vice General Manager of China Merchants Group
On behalf of Peking University, Dong Zhiyong welcomed all guests and participants. He stated that Peking University actively responds to the national call and is committed to promoting China-Africa educational and people-to-people exchanges. It hopes to work with the "C Star" program and all sectors of society to continuously deepen cooperation between China, Africa, and Belt and Road Initiative partner countries, and contribute to building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.
Dong Zhiyong, Vice President of Peking University
Hodan Osman Abdi noted that the "C Star" program helps enhance the innovation awareness of African youth in fields such as science and technology, agriculture, and culture. She encouraged the participants to seize opportunities, maintain resilience, and actively apply the experience they have learned to address local challenges and shape the future of Africa.
Hodan Osman Abdi, Ambassador of Somalia to China
Lynette Mwende Ndile said that the return visit of two Kenyan participants to China once again demonstrates the influence and sustainability of the "C Star" program. As the program has long supported the development of African youth, she expressed the hope that there would be more opportunities for China-Africa people-to-people exchanges in the future, enabling young people to empower Africa's development with Chinese experience.
Lynette Mwende Ndile, Deputy Ambassador of Kenya to China
Wang Shaodan said that China-Africa Development Fund and China Merchants Group are jointly committed to achieving mutual benefit, win-win results, and shared prosperity between China and Africa. In the first year of implementing the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China-Africa Development Fund will strengthen cooperation with China Merchants Group and Peking University to provide more resources for African youth to come to China and make greater contributions to China-Africa friendship.
Wang Shaodan, Secretary-general of China-Africa Development Fund
Bai Long stated that the Global Times Foundation adheres to the mission of "gathering public love from all sectors, undertaking social responsibilities, and promoting social harmony." It will continue to focus on China-Africa cooperation projects including the "C Star" program, and to unit international communication and social forces to jointly participate in global youth innovation and entrepreneurship.
Bai Long, Board Chairman of Global Times Foundation
A young entrepreneur Sero from Benin, representing all participants, thanked the "C Star" program for providing platforms and resources. He stated that the innovative inspiration he gained during his trip to China is like a "seed," and he will plant this "seed" on the African continent to shape a better future for Africa.
Sero, a representative from Benin
Makena, a representative of previous participants, noted that the "C Star" program has become a youth innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem that gathers friendship. She expressed delight in witnessing the new participants join, working together to promote the rooting and germination of the seeds of entrepreneurial dreams.
Makena, a representative from Kenya
Subsequently, the attending guests presented certificates of completion and commemorative plaques to the participants, bringing a successful end to their learning journey across mountains and sea.
African youth representatives receive commemorative plaques of the "C Star" program at the closing ceremony on September 23, 2025.
The closing ceremony also witnessed the signing of a letter of intent for the establishment of a "C Star" special fund. As the initiators of the special fund, China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Holdings and China-Africa Development Fund will maintain close communication with donors such as Sino Group and DBS Bank. The fund aims to provide financial support, resource connection, and growth guidance for aspiring young entrepreneurs, address various challenges on their entrepreneurial journey, and help more youth entrepreneurial projects take root and thrive.
After the closing ceremony, a Youth Leadership Dialogue was held. Guests from Peking University, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, and the Global Times conducted in-depth discussions and exchanges with the participants around two topics: "Digital Intelligence Empowerment and Local Innovation" and "Cultural Integration and Consumption Upgrade."
Building on the success of first two sessions, the 3rd "C Star" program has actively explored the "two-way empowerment" between China Merchants Group's industrial resources and global youth innovation and entrepreneurship. It provides platform support and resource connection for global youth innovation and entrepreneurship, while also bringing new perspectives on international youth and overseas markets to China Merchants Group's enterprises.
During the 10-day trip to China, the participants visited four cities: Guangzhou, Dongguan, Shenzhen, and Beijing. They visited China Merchants Group's enterprises, well-known universities, and government organizations, conducted extensive cooperation exchanges and resource connections, explored new cooperation models with enterprises, and promoted the formation of synergy in youth innovation and entrepreneurship to achieve win-win development.
Program Introduction
China Merchants Group C Star Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program is an overseas public welfare initiative funded by China Merchants Foundation and led by China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Holdings for implementation. Guided by the concept of "To give people fish and you only provide them with one meal; to teach them to fish and they can benefit throughout their lives," the program supports international youth, mainly from Africa, in effectively connecting with Chinese resources and incubating entrepreneurial projects. It aims to deeply integrate Chinese experience with African vitality, serving as a vivid practice for China and Africa to jointly advance the Belt and Road Initiative.
Since its launch in 2022, the "C Star" program has successfully attracted over 1,500 young entrepreneurs from 27 countries (predominantly African). More than 500 participants have joined online training sessions, among whom 83 outstanding young entrepreneurs have taken part in study tours in China, covering nearly 90 Chinese enterprise resources. In 2024, the program was included in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan and the Concept Paper of 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, becoming one of the key projects for China-Africa cooperation and exchanges.
For the 2025 "C Star" China Tour, targeting participants in fields such as cross-border e-commerce, fintech, biomanufacturing, and smart logistics, the program has actively promoted precise connection with industrial resources. Newly added enterprise resources include: Guangzhou Panyu Innovation Park, Shenzhen Guangming Science City, Sea World Culture and Arts Center, Shekou Net Valley, Wuxi Huishan (Shenzhen) Innovation Center, XbotPark, Vipshop, MINISO, HomeFacialPro, BoShi Medical, Guangzhou CLC Group Co., Ltd, Nuo'an Intelligent, Cabin Air, Xiaomi Beijing headquarters, and other enterprises/institutions. It also includes universities such as Peking University, University of International Business and Economics, and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen).
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