The first-ever Africa Day celebration in China, championed by Africans, has been scheduled to hold on May 23, as part of efforts to deepen Africa-China relations.

The Communications Director for the Centre for China-Africa Discourse Studies (CECADS), Queen Modestus, in a statement, said corporate giants on the continent were already providing massive support for the success of the show, tagged ‘The biggest celebration of black culture in Asia.’

While the identities of the brands are kept under wraps, CECADS hinted that a leading bank in Nigeria and the national carrier of an East African country are leading the pack.

The statement added: “Many more African brands are expected to be fully on board this massive event to showcase Africa’s rich culture and correct a lot of misconceptions about the continent, which many sometimes think is just a country.

“Can you imagine a whole continent being assumed as a country mainly because nearly every African is black? That is why we are deliberately making the corporate support continent-wide and apart from the two bodies mentioned above, there is another massive brand from South Africa expected to come on board.

“The only reason we are not giving out names now is to wait at the appropriate time to unveil all of them together as the pride of Africa, supporting the continent and its diaspora in faraway Asia.

“A couple of not-for-profit foundations are also listed as potential sponsors of the event. The unprecedented angle to what we are doing this time with the cultural celebration of Africa is the blend we are bringing into it. Unlike similar events elsewhere, we are championing a celebration of Africa, by Africans and for Africans. We are also not limiting our partnership to the boardrooms of financial giants; we are encompassing all.

“It will interest all to know that intellectual bodies are not left out of the list as well as well-known Foundations pushing for good governance and the spirit of pan-Africanism in the continent.

“This is a total package for Africa. Nothing like it has ever been seen or done.” Listed for the event taking place at Marriott Hotel in Beijing are all African ambassadors in China, with their dean, the Cameroonian envoy, Ambassador Martin Mpana, presenting the plenary address.

There will also be high-level panel discussion and a forum for African community leaders in China. Expected at the forum are president of the Organisation of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), Dr. Elijah Odii; IT guru, Louis Louis Idehen; CEO, SMSICT Solutions and CEO, IDIFA (I Do It For Africa), Ria Raadwijk, among others.

The host is the head of the African Youth Delegation in China and one of the 100 Most Influential People of African Descent (2023), Dr. Joseph Olivier Mendo’o.

There will also be cultural performances by some of Africa’s best artistes in China like Black Pearl of China (Maliah), to go with the African cuisine, promised by the organisers.

According to CECADS, this event is primed to be yearly and this is the maiden edition.