Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao Thursday described the three-day China-Africa Cooperation Forum -- Ministerial Conference Beijing 2000 as a success that has fully lived up to expectations of all involved.
Answering a question at the regular press conference, Zhu said that with concerted efforts and close cooperation between China and Africa, the forum concluded without a hitch.
Equality was a hallmark of discussions among participants, who widely exchanged views on China-Africa cooperation in various areas in the context of new situation in the world, Zhu said.
The conference adopted two major documents, the China-Africa Cooperation Forum Beijing Declaration and the Program for China-Africa Cooperation in Economic and Social Development, he noted.
"It can be said that the forum has reached the goals of enhancing mutual understanding, expanding the consensus, strengthening friendship, and promoting cooperation," Zhu noted.
The success of the forum shows that China and African countries have a lot in common on a series of major international and political issues, Zhu said, adding that it also shows the two sides are confident they can further the exchange and cooperation in the new situation.
It demonstrates that there is wide prospect for China-Africa friendly cooperation, Zhu noted, saying that the two documents adopted by the conference reviewed and made future plans for cooperation between the two sides in politics, economy, and social development.
The two documents serve as a guideline for consolidating the friendship and expanding the cooperation between China and Africa, he stressed.
The success of the forum illustrates that strengthening the South-South cooperation is in line with the tide of the time and an important way for developing countries to effectively deal with the changes in international situation and the challenges of globalization, the spokesman said.
If China, the biggest developing country, and Africa, the biggest developing continent, strengthen their consultation and cooperation and join hands towards common development, it would certainly make positive contribution to the peace and development in the world and the advancement and prosperity of the mankind, he said.
"We believe that the conference will have a profound impact on the further consolidation and deepening of China-Africa relations," Zhu said.
(People’s Daily 10/12/2000)
