Enhancing solidarity and cooperation with Africa to remain a priority in China's diplomacy: FM

(ECNS) -- At a group meeting with African diplomatic envoys to jointly commemorate Africa Day, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that enhancing solidarity and cooperation with Africa will remain a priority in China's diplomacy, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference on Tuesday.

To jointly celebrate Africa Day is an annual tradition between China and Africa,Mao said. This year's theme is "China-Africa Solidarity for a Better Future."

Mao introduced that Wang on Monday held a group meeting with diplomatic envoys from over 50 African countries and representatives of the African Union in China. "Wang stressed that China will continue to support African countries—and vice versa—on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, do more to deliver tangible benefits for African people, and be Africa's most sincere friend and reliable partner," Mao said.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of FOCAC. The relationship between China and Africa has experienced leapfrog development and is at its best in history, Mao added.

"At the FOCAC Beijing summit last September, President Xi Jinping made six propositions on modernization and proposed ten partnership actions that China and Africa can pursue together. This has laid out a new blueprint and injected fresh impetus into the high-quality cooperation between the two sides. In about two weeks, the ministerial coordinators' meeting on the implementation of FOCAC outcomes will be held in Changsha, Hunan," she said.

"We hope that this meeting will further boost our effort to implement the common understandings reached by the leaders of both sides and accelerate modernization in both China and Africa," the spokesperson added.

(By Evelyn)