S. Africa says ready to host China-Africa Summit

JOHANNESBURG -- South Africa is ready to host the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) said on Wednesday.

"Logistical and substance preparations are at an advanced stage. The programs for the senior officials meeting, the ministerial meeting, the summit, as well as all the main side events, have been finalized.

"All logistical arrangements are also in place and the accreditation centers in Pretoria and Johannesburg are now operational," an IMC statement said.

The FOCAC is for the first time upgraded into a summit which will take place during Dec. 4 to 5.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and African heads of state and government, representatives from the African Union and other regional organizations will attend the event.

The summit is expected to adopt a declaration and action plan outlining measures aimed at consolidating China-Africa relations.