African countries will make good preparations for the first
summit of Chinese and African leaders, said Eleih-Elle Etian, dean
of the African Diplomatic Corps in China.
As a new framework for developing China-Africa relations, the
Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is already five years old, Etian
said at a recent reception marking the 50th anniversary of the
inauguration of diplomatic relations between China and Africa.
On this occasion, Etian said, the Chinese side proposed an
unprecedented summit of heads of Chinese and African countries when
they meet for this year's session of the Forum.
"The Chinese initiative is well accepted by African countries,"
said Etian who is also Ambassador of Cameroon to China.
"Chinese Assistant Minister Lu Guozeng informed us that the
first summit will be held in Beijing early November this year," the
ambassador noted. "It will add new strength to our cooperation in
the new millennium, a cooperation that is both exemplary and
dynamic."
"We are privileged to become the craftsmen of this grand
inter-continental meeting," he added.
(Xinhua News Agency January 18, 2006)
