China to uphold solidarity, mutual trust with Africa

China will commit to upholding solidarity and mutual trust with Africa, and will work with Africa to strengthen cooperation on innovation, safeguard peace and stability and promote cultural exchanges, Vice-Foreign Minister Deng Li said on Monday.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the 16th Senior Officials Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, Deng said China will work with Africa to get prepared for the next FOCAC meeting scheduled for next year.

Oumar Demba Ba, diplomatic adviser to president of Senegal, the African country which is co-chairing FOCAC with China, praised FOCAC for promoting Africa-China relations on the basis of friendliness, mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual benefit.

Demba Ba said FOCAC is a united, steady and efficient cooperation mechanism. He also expressed his appreciation for China's support for the African Union joining the G20.

About 300 people, including officials and representatives from China, 53 African countries and the Commission of the African Union, joined Monday's meeting to review China's report on the implementation of the outcomes of the Eighth FOCAC Ministerial Conference, which was held in Dakar in 2021.

The participants also discussed the preparatory work for the FOCAC meeting to be held next year.