“I absolutely love Beijing hotpot; the sour plum juice is the perfect match!” “Thanks to my Chinese classmates who woke me up at 7 AM for morning runs.” “I can’t live without China; the convenience of e-commerce here is incredible.” “The agricultural machinery from China is affordable and comes with great after-sales service in Gabon; the Chinese are very pragmatic.” These are just a few of the thoughts expressed by Zou Aile, a Gabonese youth and host and voice actor at Suda Times Group, who has been living and studying in China for over a decade.

From the tactile guiding stones on the sidewalks to China’s seamless e-commerce networks and cross-border trade, Zou Aile feels that her experiences in China have broadened her horizons, inspired her thoughts, and contributed to her personal growth. In an exclusive interview with our reporter, this African girl shared her warm and vibrant perceptions of China.

“Chinese friends are incredibly warm and welcoming.”

“When I first arrived in China, I was the star of my class!” Zou Aile reminisces about her early days in China. “In my undergraduate class of over 70 students, I was the only foreigner. Everyone was eager to help me learn.”

In September 2008, Zou Aile came to China to study Chinese. After a year, she passed the language proficiency test and enrolled in Beijing University of Science and Technology, where she spent seven years completing her undergraduate and master’s degrees.

“I chose the name Zou Aile based on the pronunciation of my Gabonese name, given to me by my first Chinese teacher when I arrived. ‘Baola’ is my Chinese nickname, which is also derived from my Gabonese name.” She recalls that it took her four years to progress from zero knowledge of Chinese to fluency. The immersive learning environment at the university and the enthusiastic support from her classmates helped her integrate into Chinese society and ultimately fall in love with the country.

“The environment is crucial,” Baola reflects. “During college, my classmates would wake me up at 7 AM to go for runs together, and we’d have breakfast before heading to class. On weekends, they would invite me to study in the library and emphasize the importance of regular reading to ease exam nerves. I developed many beneficial habits while spending time with my Chinese classmates. I remember going to Wangfujing Bookstore with them and using a reading device to scan Chinese books, learning word by word—it was a lot of fun.”

On her first day of class, the homeroom teacher provided her with a card containing contact information for all her classmates, assuring her that she could reach out for help anytime. Many teachers also encouraged her to visit their offices for extra assistance if she found any lesson too fast-paced or difficult to understand. During festivals, her classmates would invite her to their homes to celebrate, taking her on tours of various cities. “Everyone was so willing to help me; Chinese friends genuinely feel like family,” Baola adds. “Even today, I remain close friends with many of my classmates.”

Over her decade-long stay in China, Baola transformed from an African student into a well-known host and voice actor across the continent. This was not part of her initial plan, but she is very satisfied with how her career has evolved.

“My decision to study in China was influenced by my father, who believed in the strong cooperation between China and Africa. He thought learning Chinese and understanding China could be vital career skills, and he hoped I’d return to Gabon to contribute,” she shares. “After graduation, I chose to stay in China and work at Suda Times as a host and voice actor, which I find very meaningful.”

“Before coming to China, the only exposure I had to Chinese culture was through Hong Kong films. I thought all Chinese people practiced martial arts and could perform acrobatics,” Baola laughs. “But I realized how modern China is when I got here and discovered so many fresh, fascinating things. I want to share a contemporary and authentic view of China with more friends in Africa.”

“The most significant change has been in my mindset.”

Baola maintains her routine of waking up at 7 AM. After a workout, she arrives at the office looking sharp and ready for her 8:30 AM start: recording shows, going out on shoots, writing scripts, and editing. Recently, her schedule has been packed.

“Here, I have the rare opportunity to introduce real stories about China to my fellow Africans,” she explains. Baola hosts several programs, including a series on Beijing’s dynamic urban development, a news program called “China-Africa Express,” and beauty programs in both French and English. Through these shows, she shares delightful content about beauty, music, and film trends while also updating audiences on China’s development and the latest news about Sino-African cooperation. She wears many hats—host, journalist, voice actor—and collaborates on various Sino-African media reports and video projects.

Baola has a long-standing connection with Suda Times. While in university, she visited the company, where she was impressed by their operations. Eventually, she interned there and assisted with translation work. After graduation, she couldn’t shake her fond memories of Suda Times and applied for a position there.

Founded in 1988, Suda Times has been deeply involved in the digital broadcasting field in Africa since 2002. The company operates in over 30 African countries, providing digital television and internet video services, with more than 830 channels, including its own. Suda Times has developed 17 million pay-TV subscribers and 50 million mobile video users. One of its primary operations is translating Chinese dramas into 20 languages, including English, French, Portuguese, Swahili, Hausa, Zulu, and Yoruba for broadcast in Africa.

“It’s amazing that Suda Times offers so many great programs for Africans to enjoy,” Baola says. “Here, I can tell my fellow Africans that China is about more than just pandas, kung fu, and the Great Wall. It also has modern urban development, diverse cultural preservation, and incredibly convenient electronic payment and e-commerce systems.”

With the implementation of China’s “Connecting Villages” satellite digital television project in Africa, Suda Times is responsible for rolling out digital television services in 10112 villages across 23 countries. By August 2024, the project had completed the construction of 9512 villages in 20 countries, benefiting over ten million people. More and more locals can now access the outside world from the comfort of home, enjoying excellent Chinese films and television series.

“Initially, my father wanted me to return to Gabon for work. Now, my role at Suda Times has made me well-known among many Africans, and countless viewers are getting to know the warm and charming China through me. My family has gradually accepted and recognized my choices; they are proud of me,” Baola shares with a bright smile.

“Engaging in Sino-African cooperation is my dream.”

From filming a short movie about life for the blind in Beijing to savoring hotpot and sour plum juice, experiencing life in the hutongs, shopping online for clothes and beauty products, and enjoying a fast delivery service—Baola says her time in China has brought her one key change: a more open mindset and becoming more professional and independent.

“During my university studies in logistics management, I improved my skill set significantly. I realized that I could pursue jobs aligned with my studies, but I could also explore careers I am passionate about, like being a host. I can now live independently and manage work matters professionally. I plan to continue learning through reading to further enhance my skills and explore new avenues for promoting Sino-African cooperation,” she explains.

As we converse, Gabon, Africa, and China come up frequently as key themes. Her experiences at Suda Times, her decade in China, and feedback from friends and family in Gabon provide her with unique perspectives on Sino-African relations and provoke fresh considerations on African development and China-Africa collaboration.

While enjoying Beijing hotpot, she noticed how much locals love lamb slices paired with traditional sour plum juice. “Chinese people have preserved their traditional culinary culture, and it remains popular among younger generations. In Gabon, we also have many traditional dishes that should be carried on. Young people can enjoy pizza and cola but should also celebrate and preserve delicious traditional foods, protecting our cultural heritage together,” she emphasizes.

Recently, she’s been contemplating the potential for cross-border e-commerce development in Africa. “I absolutely love Taobao; I can’t live without China’s convenient e-commerce and logistics. I truly hope Africa can develop a similar e-commerce industry,” Baola says. With numerous collaborative projects under the Belt and Road Initiative, the future of e-commerce cooperation brims with potential.

In Gabon, Chinese companies have built infrastructure like the Gabon Lettil Port—Omboué coastal road, breaking the historical reliance on maritime and aerial transport. The completion of the 160,000-kilowatt Boubah hydroelectric power station nearly a decade ago has provided a continuous power supply crucial for Gabon’s economic growth and industrialization. China has maintained its status as Gabon’s largest export market for years. Currently, collaboration between China and Gabon continues to deepen across various sectors, including infrastructure, agriculture, health, and the digital economy, supporting Gabon’s efforts to diversify its economy. “Chinese people are incredibly pragmatic; the government emphasizes practical solutions based on reality. These developmental experiences are applicable to Gabon and many other African countries,” Baola states.

“Today, many Chinese companies operate in Gabon, and several of my Gabonese friends are employed by Chinese enterprises. They are learning essential skills and adopting timely and efficient management and production practices from Chinese companies, which is vital for Gabon,” she notes. “I look forward to more intensive cooperation between Gabon and China in the future. Regardless of my specific job down the line, contributing to Sino-African cooperation is my heartfelt aspiration.”