On the afternoon of November 7th, the China-Africa Seminar on Innovation and Cooperation in Fire and Emergency Technology was successfully held, hosted by Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), National Engineering Center for Fire Protection and Emergency Rescue, and China-Africa Innovation Cooperation Center.
Facing the major public safety needs in China and Africa, discussions were had on scientific and technological research, standard system construction, applications, and talent cultivation in fire and emergency rescue. The seminar is aimed to comprehensively promoting exchanges and cooperation between China and Africa in the fields of fire and emergency rescue and urban safety, and striving to establish a stable and sustainable strategic cooperation relationship between China and Africa.
Liu Wang qing, the first-level inspector of Department of Science and Technology of Hubei Province, pointed out that the seminar will further enhance the understanding and cooperation between China and Africa in the innovation of fire and emergency technology, injecting new impetus into China-Africa cooperation to a higher level.
Dingumuzi Phuti, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services of Zimbabwe, expressed that with the advancement of urbanization, the need for a strong and digital emergency management system in Zimbabwe has become more urgent. Technologies such as AI driven-warning systems, intelligent sensors, and real-time communication networks have enormous potential in responding to crises such as natural disasters, fires, or public health events. Dr. Phuti said that through cooperation between China and Zimbabwe, they hope to build more resilient cities, to strengthen Zimbabwe's emergency response framework and system construction, and to ensure the common future security and prosperity of both sides.
Gao Liang, Vice President of HUST, stated that China and Africa, as the world's largest developing country and emerging economies, face similar development opportunities and challenges in the field of fire protection and emergency management. The cooperation between the two sides has a solid foundation and profound strategic significance. The deep and practical cooperation among HUST, the National Engineering Center for Fire Protection and Emergency Rescue, the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services of Zimbabwe, and the University of Zimbabwe is an important measure in response to the “Forum on China-Africa Cooperation - Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027)”.
At the meeting, Huazhong University of Science and Technology and the University of Zimbabwe signed the Memorandum of Understanding in the field of fire protection and emergency rescue. With strong support from the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services of Zimbabwe and Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in China, the both sides jointly applied for the 2024 inter-governmental science and technology innovation project supported by the funds for international cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China.
Experts and scholars in the field of information and communications from 15 African countries, including Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania, attended the seminar.
