A senior Chinese diplomat said in Beijing yesterday that China and Africa are satisfied with the follow-up work of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, referring to work done to reduce debts, encourage trade and promote talent.
"Delegates to the meeting appreciated China's efforts on implementing the follow-up actions after the second ministerial conference," said Xu Jinghu, secretary-general of the Secretariat of the Chinese Follow-up Committee and director of the Foreign Ministry's African Department.
Xu made the remarks in the wake of the forum's 4th Senior Officials Meeting, which was held in Beijing on August 22-23.
China has carried out a series of measures such as reducing or exempting some African countries' debts, granting duty-free status for some African products and training 10,000 people.
At the forum, the two sides agreed that China would host a summit involving national leaders in Beijing next year, along with the group's third ministerial meeting.
The summit will provide a chance for leaders to exchange views on relations and major issues of common concern, said Xu.
"The summit to be held next year is a milestone in Sino-African friendly cooperation and will bring an important influence to maintaining and enhancing long-term stability, mutual benefit and a cooperative partnership," Xu said.
(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2005)
