Dr. Taling Tene Rodrigue advocating for deepening China-Africa cultural exchange

In a recent interview, Dr. Taling Tene Rodrigue, head of the Center for African Film & TV at Zhejiang Normal University, highlighted the importance of fostering genuine cultural exchange between China and Africa through film and media. Dr. Rodrigue, a Cameroonian scholar, believes that African narratives are often filtered through a non-African lens, which he aims to change by amplifying African voices in the world’s academic and cultural landscape.

“Africa is often represented from a Western perspective, not by Africans themselves,” Dr. Rodrigue stated, expressing concern about the misconceptions this can create. He advocates for global audiences to learn about Africa directly through African-made films and literature, and he has actively brought African films to his students in China, encouraging discussions on how Africans see themselves versus how the world often portrays them. This initiative, he hopes, will lead to deeper, more authentic connections.

Dr. Rodrigue’s sees significant potential for China and Africa to accelerate cooperation, particularly in the arts and culture sectors. His work emphasizes that China-Africa relations depend not only on initiatives but also on people to people connections that foster mutual understanding. “People are the ones running companies, running small businesses. They need to come together, to do business together, and to understand each other,” he explained.

In support of these goals, Dr. Rodrigue is involved in organizing the upcoming China-Africa Cultural and Economic Exchange Week, scheduled to take place in Jinhua City, east China’s Zhejiang Province. This event, coordinated by the local government and Zhejiang Normal University, aims to showcase African products and facilitate business exchanges between Chinese and African entrepreneurs. “We welcome Chinese businesses in Africa, and we hope to see more African businesses thriving in China as well,” he said.

With Africa now home to one of the world’s largest free trade areas, Dr. Rodrigue sees boundless opportunity for enhanced collaboration. His work continues to bridge gaps between China and Africa, paving the way for an enriched partnership built on shared understanding and respect.