Johannesburg- Chinese President Xi Jinping says Africa and China will remain close allies who treat each other with respect.
“No matter how the international political landscape may evolve, China and Africa will remain brothers who treat each other as equals and support one other,” President Xi said in his closing remarks at the conclusion of the two-day long Johannesburg Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit on Saturday.
The summit was held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg and was attended by 48 heads of states and 38 ministers from Africa and China. About 24 Ministers participated in the business forum of the FOCAC held on friday.
President Xi said Africa and China shared a common future and will remain good friends.
“No matter how the international economic landscape may evolve, our fundamental goal of achieving a win-win cooperation and development will not change,” said President Xi.
He said leaders at the summit have adopted the action plan of the Johannesburg Summit of FOCAC 2016 to 201, which laid out specific goals and tasks for growing China-Africa relations and put forth major initiatives to put forth win-win cooperation and common development.
“We are committed to implementing the consensus and outcomes of this summit and deliver more benefits to our people.”
Leaders at the summit shared the view that China and Africa are important forces, and have a responsibility and capability to play a bigger role in international affairs and contribute more to the building of the new type of international relations based on win-win cooperation.
“Going forward we will embrace a new era of win-win cooperation and common development for China and Africa,” President Xi said.
He said the major tasks of the summit were successfully concluded.
He commended the orgernisers involved in preparation and hosting of the summit, saying they had devoted substantial amount of resources to ensure smooth proceedings of the summit.
For his part, President Jacob Zuma said the summit had taken the relationship between Africa and China to its highest level ever.
“The Johannesburg Summit has in essence propelled this partnership to that of a Comprehensive Strategic and Cooperative Partnership.
“In that way, we have ensured that we are better able to address the pressing needs of our peoples,” said President Zuma.
President Zuma expressed sincere gratitude to the Chinese President for his commitment to help bring down challenges that hinder Africa’s development. - SAnews.gov.za
