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Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Geographical and architectural imaginations

Western colonial powers developed their understanding held in Conakry, Guinea, contacted representatives of
of the tropics through a combination of travel, exploration, Asian and African countries, and actively promoted
scientific research, and conquer. The knowledge they China’s propositions and policies (Jin, 1960). During this
produced through texts, drawings, and mappings period, the Chinese Acrobatic Art Troupe visited Guinea,
significantly influenced European vision of the region and showcased the exquisite skills of Chinese artists to the
(Driver & Martins, 2005). In contrast, the Chinese Guinean people (Zhou, 1960). Several months later, in late
journalists, diplomats, and building professionals were 1960, the China Economic Construction Achievement
among the first to develop an understanding of the Exhibition was opened in Guinea, exhibiting Chinese
tropical area. They did so through visits and the use of goods and urban and rural construction and attracting
geographical and architectural imaginations, which were the attention of hundreds of thousands of Guineans (Jiang,
expressed through various media such as texts, drawings, 2007) (Figure 2).
and buildings. These imaginations of the tropics were From March to June 1961, the delegation of the China-
interwoven with a range of cultural, social, and political African People’s Friendship Association visited eight
knowledge. countries in West Africa (Feng, 1962). After returning,
2.1. The production of geographical knowledge of the delegation members contributed articles to Shijie
Africa zhishi (World Affairs) and Renmin huabao, introducing
the customs, culture, arts, and social development of West
The emergence of geographical knowledge of Africa in African countries (Feng, 1961a) (Figure 3). For instance,
the early period of the People’s Republic of China was Feng Zhidan, a member of the delegation, passionately
closely tied to political objectives and was a product of described Guinea as a beautiful country with a superior
diplomatic engagement. China’s participation in the 1955 geographical location, rich natural resources, political
Bandung Conference (Asian-African Conference) helped unity, and strong national pride (Feng, 1961b) (Figure 4).
many Asian and African countries to establish a new Feng’s description that Guinea had built a large number
understanding of the People’s Republic of China. In the
late 1950s and early 1960s, independence movements were
surging in Africa, and China showed sympathy and support
for countries resisting European colonial rule and U.S.
imperialism. China’s engagement with newly independent
countries often included material and economic aid,
opening up diplomatic relationships between China and a
number of Asian and African countries.

For example, Guinea was the first sub-Saharan
African country to establish diplomatic relations with
China in October 1959, and received 15,000 tons of rice
from China a few months later (Meng, 2020). Guinean
President Ahmed Sékou Touré was the first African head
of state to visit Beijing in September 1960, and he received
a warm welcome from the Chinese government. During
his visit, China’s state-sponsored Renmin ribao (People’s
Daily) and Renmin huabao (People’s Pictorial) devoted a
significant amount of space to introduce Guinea’s basic
circumstances through rich illustrations (photographed by
Xinhua journalists and photographers based in Conakry)
and texts, marking the first comprehensive publication
of the newly independent Guinea in China (Anonymity,
1960 September 11) (Figure 1).
In addition to the initial exchange of visits between
high-level officials, non-governmental diplomacy between
China and Africa also played a crucial role in deepening
mutual understanding. In April 1960, for example, the Figure 1. The eighth page of Renmin ribao devoted to introducing
Chinese delegation participated in the second Afro-Asian Guinean culture, environment, agriculture, and social conditions,
People’s Solidarity Organization Conference (AAPSO) September 11, 1960. Source: Renmin ribao.

Volume 5 Issue 1 (2023) 4 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.200