Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi said Thursday that Egypt hopes that the fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will open a new chapter in China-Africa cooperation.

Morsi's remark was conveyed by special envoy and Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr, who addressed the opening ceremony of the conference.

Morsi said in his message that since the establishment of the FOCAC in 2000, the forum has provided a credible and concrete channel for the development of Sino-African relations.

"Egypt, as the outgoing co-chair for this forum, is proud of the constructive cooperation conducted with the Chinese side in preparing for this conference throughout the six years of chairing and co-chairing the forum," Morsi said.

The forum has become an important platform for collective dialogue and an effective mechanism of practical cooperation between China and Africa, Morsi said.

"During the past decade, China and Africa have seen numerous successes and confronted several challenges, especially in the vital field of trade," Morsi said.

Sino-African bilateral trade topped 166 billion U.S. dollars in 2011 and continues to grow each year, he added.

China's role in supporting Africa's efforts to achieve regional integration is now evident through its involvement in the development of the infrastructure, energy and communication sectors, as well as its contribution to the maintenance of peace and security, he said.

"Relations between China and Africa have entered a new era of all-round, fast and in-depth development with the establishment of the FOCAC and the launch of the China-Africa strategic partnership," he said.

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