Q: What was the objective of the recent China-Africa Forum held in Beijing, China?

A: This year marks the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of diplomatic relationship between China and African countries. It is high time to review the past and look into the future.

For this very purpose, the Chinese leaders had proposed, as an exceptional exercise, to upgrade the 3rd Ministerial Conference to a Summit, namely the Beijing Summit and the 3rd Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC. The proposal had won enormous affirmations and acclamations form African countries.

It had been envisaged that the Chinese and African leaders could avail themselves of this opportunity to review the five decades' friendship, draw a blueprint for future cooperation and promote the China-Africa relationship to a new level.

Q: What were the points of discussion in due course of the forum?

A: There was a wide-ranging agenda for this forum.

The first three days, from November 1st to 3rd, witnessed the 5th Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) and the 3rd Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC. As a prelude to the Summit, the representatives held in-depth deliberation on the achievements by the FOCAC since its inception, in particular the implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Plan adopted by the second Ministerial Conference in 2003.

On November 4th to 5th were convened the High-Level Dialogue between Chinese-African leaders and business communities, the 2nd Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs, and above all the Roundtable of Chinese and African Leaders.

H.E. Mr. Hu Jintao, Chinese President, H.E. Ato Meles Zenawi, Ethiopian Prime Minister, and H.E. Mr. Denis Sassou-Nguesso, President of the Republic of the Congo and concurrently Chairman of AU, respectively addressed the Summit in the opening ceremony. In his speech, President Hu Jintao declared the eight-point initiative that the Chinese Government will take aiming at helping African countries.

Throughout the Summit, the Chinese and African leaders, focusing on the theme of "friendship, peace, cooperation and development", summed up their half century's relationship, exchanged views on major international issues and finally declared the establishment of a new type of strategic partnership, featuring political equality and mutual trust economic win-win cooperation and cultural exchange and enrichment.

Q: What was the outcome evolved from the forum?

A: First, the leaders from China and Africa have reached a consensus that the China-Africa traditional friendship shall be consistently treasured, inherited and passed down to future generations. They have hailed as a landmark the establishment of a new type of strategic partnership between China and Africa.

Second, cognizant of tangible benefits rising from the bilateral cooperation, the leaders have explored the ways in which the cooperation can be expanded. And the eight-point initiative pronounced by H.E. Mr. Hu Jintao, has been highly appreciated on the African part, which expressed readiness to work closely with China in its full implementation.

Third, the Chinese and African leaders have exchanged views on major international issues, and committed themselves to fostering consultation and mutual support in safeguarding legitimate rights and interests of the developing world on the international arena.

Fourth, the leaders have shared experience on governance and have been resolved to continue with respects and supports for each other in choosing their own road of development. They are also determined to draw on each other's strength in administrating the countries.

Last but no least, affirming the achievement by the FOCAC as an important platform for collective dialogue and an effective mechanism for pragmatic cooperation, the leaders have decided to enhance the Forum and promote the harmonization of its programs with the socio-economic development strategies for the African countries.

Q: How do you describe the possible impact that this forum would have on the future China-Africa relationship?

A: The impact will be enormous and profound. By forging a new type of strategic partnership between China and Africa, the summit has consolidated the traditional friendship and injected new vitality into the China-Africa cooperation.

Specifically, China and Africa will define and develop their relationship as follows:

Politically, we will be guided by the principles of equality, non-interference, and mutual support in the bilateral relations. We will maintain high-level contacts, establish a regular consultation mechanism and conduct strategic dialogues for better political trust. We are resolved to promote multilateralism and democracy in international relations.

Economically, we will be partners of cooperation. We are committed to deepening bilateral economic ties in diversified forms and for mutual benefits. We will give full play to respective strength and explore new areas in trade, investment, human resources development, etc. And we will make joint efforts to ensure economic globalization to proceed in a balanced way and bring benefits to all. We are determined to work together in promoting South-South cooperation and North-South dialogue.

And, we will enhance exchanges and cooperation in education, science and technology, culture, public health, sports and tourism, so as to provide intellectual motivation and cultural support for China-Africa cooperation. We share the aspiration to advance civilizations internationally, enhance tolerance and coexistence among various civilizations, and strive to build a harmonious world.

It is my firm belief that the China-Africa relations, based on the profound traditional friendship and tremendous common needs, hold great promise and prospects.

Q: Tell us something about the agreements reached among the parties.

A: The Summit's achievements are embodied in its outcome documents, namely Declaration of the Beijing Summit of the FOCAC and the Action Plan (2007-2009)

Let me list some of the prescribed initiatives to be taken on Chinese part in the next three years.

We will double the size of development assistance to Africa, provide US$3 billion of preferential loans and US$2 billion of preferential export buyer's credit.

We will cancel all the debts in interest-free government loans maturing at the end of 2005 contracted by the heavily indebted poor countries and the least developed countries in Africa, who have diplomatic ties with China.

We will set up a US$5 billion of China-Africa Development Fund, expanding zero-tariff treatment from 190 to over 440 African export items, helping build 3 to 5 economic and trade cooperation zones across Africa, as well as an AU conference center here in Addis Ababa.

And we will send more teachers, more technicians and more medical staff to this continent for its social advancement. We will foster bilateral political consultations within the framework of the Forum. We will try our best in giving voice to the voiceless people in Africa on the international arena.

Our aim is to give a big boost to socio-economic building in Africa. As said by the African leaders, that the outcomes of the Summit, as being positive and substantive, well meet the needs of Africa and bring fresh hopes to the African people.

Q: What makes this very forum special from the others which were held previously?

A: I would say, the Summit is unique in many senses.

It's held at a unique historical juncture. When the China-Africa diplomatic relationship has seen its 50th anniversary, when the world is undergoing complex changes, and when imbalance in globalization, gaps between North and South, threats of traditional and non-traditional nature combine to pose a daunting challenge to all the developing countries - we need this forum to play a ever bigger role in uniting us for a common agenda.

The Summit is unique in its high profile. The previous FOCAC events were basically in the ministerial level, with some presence of Heads of State and Government. Without prejudicing to their significance, the current Summit is such a gathering as attended by 35 Heads of State, 6 Heads of Government, 1 vice President and guests from AU and other 24 international organizations. In addition, 1030 businessmen came from Africa for the Entrepreneurs' Conference, and 494 international journalists gave extensive coverage on the Summit.

More importantly, the Summit has outcomes of unique magnitude. The 25-article Declaration and the 91- article Action Plan, adopted by the Chinese and African leaders unanimously, have explicitly voiced their shared views and aspirations in today's world, and specifically pinpointed the initiatives they would take in the time to come. Piled up on the achievements by the previous FOCAC events, this Summit will surely promote the China-Africa relations in greater depth and width, enhance South-South cooperation and contribute to global peace and prosperity.