Full text of the Declaration of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, released on November 5, 2006

 

We, the heads of state and (or) government of the People's Republic of China and 48 African countries, met in Beijing from 4th to 5th November 2006 for the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

 

We applaud the summit held on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and African countries.

 

For the purpose of promoting "friendship, peace, cooperation and development," we have reviewed the sincere friendship, solidarity and cooperation between China and Africa over the past half century, discussed the common goals and direction for growing China-Africa cooperation in the new era, and decided to enhance the role of the Forum.

 

We hold that the world today is undergoing complex and profound changes, and that the pursuit of peace, development and cooperation has become the trend of the times.

 

We call for the development of friendly relations and cooperation among countries in accordance with the UN Charter, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and other generally recognized norms governing international relations.

 

We propose to enhance South-South cooperation and North-South dialogue to promote balanced, coordinated and sustainable development of the global economy to enable all countries to share its benefits and realize common development and prosperity.

 

We hold that the United Nations should strengthen its role through reforms, pay greater attention to the issue of development and give priority to increasing the representation and say of African countries in UN agencies.

 

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

 

We call on the international community to encourage and support Africa's efforts to pursue peace and development. In particular, we urge developed countries to increase official development assistance and honour their commitment to opening markets and debt relief to enhance Africa's capacity in poverty and disaster reduction and prevention and control of desertification, and help Africa realize the UN Millennium Development Goals.

 

We 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 contributions to world peace and development.

 

African countries are greatly inspired by China's rapid economic development and extend congratulations to China. They reiterated that they adhere to the one-China policy and support China's peaceful reunification.

 

China and Africa enjoy traditional solidarity and cooperation and China-Africa friendship enjoys immense popularity.

 

We hereby solemnly proclaim the establishment of a new type of strategic partnership between China and Africa featuring political equality and mutual trust, economic win-win cooperation and cultural exchanges. For this purpose, we will:

 

Increase high-level visits, conduct strategic dialogue and enhance mutual political trust.

 

Deepen and broaden mutually beneficial cooperation and give top priority to cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, industry, fishing, IT, public health and personnel training to draw on each other's strengths.

 

Increase exchange of views on governance and development to learn from each other.

 

Increase dialogue between different cultures and promote people-to-people exchanges, particularly those between the young people.

 

Enhance international cooperation.

 

Enhance the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

 

Properly handle issues and challenges that may arise in the course of cooperation in keeping with China-Africa friendship and the long-term interests of the two sides.

 

We hold that the establishment of a new type of strategic partnership is the shared desire of China and Africa, serves our common interests, and will help enhance solidarity and mutual assistance among developing countries and contribute to lasting peace and harmonious development in the world.

 

(China Daily November 6, 2006)