African countries attending the high-profile Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation said in Beijing on Sunday that they are firmly committed to the one-China policy.

 

"They (the African countries) reiterated that they adhere to the one-China policy and support China's peaceful reunification," said a declaration adopted at the two-day summit of leaders and representatives of China and 48 African countries.

 

The summit was held in the Chinese capital on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the African countries. Trade volume between Africa and China rocketed to US$39.7 billion in 2005 after breaking the mark of US$10 billion in 2000.

 

"The African countries are greatly inspired by China's rapid economic development. They extend congratulations to China and wish China even greater achievements in its development endeavors," the declaration said.

 

The declaration said China commends Africa's progress in safeguarding regional peace, promoting regional cooperation and accelerating economic and social development, and appreciates the active role played by the African countries, the African Union and other regional and sub-regional organizations in this regard.

 

China reaffirms its support for the African countries in their efforts to strengthen themselves through unity and independently resolve African problems, supports the African regional and sub- regional organizations in their efforts to promote economic integration, and supports the African countries in implementing the "New Partnership for Africa's Development" programs, according the declaration.

 

The declaration said the leaders hold that the adherence of China, the world's largest developing country, to peaceful development and the commitment of Africa, a continent with the largest number of developing countries, to stability, development and renaissance are in themselves significant contribution to world peace and development.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 5, 2006)