The Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) has successfully attended the China-Africa Trade Union Leaders Seminar held in Beijing, China from 26th October to 2nd November 2025 under the theme “Sharing Chinese Modernisation Experience to Jointly Build a China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.”

The week-long event was organised by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) and brought together trade union leaders from Portuguese-speaking countries such as Cape Verde, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, and Sao Tome and Principe, alongside a delegation from the OATUU Secretariat including Secretary-General, Mr. Arezki Mezhoud, Deputy Secretaries-General, Mr. Emmanuel Nzunda and Mr. Ibrahim Abrar Ibrahim, Trade Union Consultant, Mr. Khemraze Cunniah and OATUU Communications Officer, Ms. Vanessa Benewaah Adade.

The seminar covered key areas such as Sino-African partnership, Chinese modernisation, the history and policy direction of Chinese trade unions, and emerging forms of work. The seminar began with a speech from the Vice-Chairman of ACFTU, Mr. Wei Dichun. He shared the rationale behind the seminar and the theme and his hope that the exchange that would result from the seminar would lead to further progress and an enhanced relationship between China and Africa. He also expressed ACFTU’s commitment to helping African trade unions and the OATUU pursue growth and development. Taking the floor, OATUU Secretary-General, Mr. Arezki Mezhoud expressed his gratitude for the support shown to OATUU over the years. He expressed that this seminar was a timely one which exhibited that the China-Africa partnership was not one grounded in exploitation but in solidarity, development and a shared vision of progress.

Participants also attended a session with the Henan Provincial Federation of Trade Unions (HPFTU), which highlighted the role of innovation and digitalisation in modern trade union operations.

In addition, the delegation undertook field visits to the China University of Labour Relations, the Henan Labour Movement Museum, Yutong Bus Company, and Sanquan Foods, observing how Chinese institutions combine modernisation, worker welfare, and sustainable development.