CNR:

We just noticed that you mentioned the upcoming ministerial conference of the FOCAC that is scheduled to take place in Senegal. Please detail this conference. In addition, we also want to know what new measures China will propose for cooperation with Africa at this conference? Thank you.

Wu Peng:

Thank you, and let me answer your questions. The Eighth Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC will be held on Nov. 29 and 30 in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, the African co-chair of FOCAC. On Nov. 28, there will be a senior official meeting to prepare for this forum, and I will also go to Dakar to attend this meeting.

You know the FOCAC is held every three years and serves as a major event between China and Africa. This forum is another grand meeting of our friendly China-Africa family since the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit. It is also the largest in-person diplomatic event jointly organized by China and overseas countries since the emergence of COVID-19. As we mentioned earlier, President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC and deliver a keynote speech through video link in Beijing. The Chinese government will also send a high-level delegation to Dakar to attend the conference. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Africa will still hold the conference as scheduled, reflecting the mutual trust and support of the two sides, as well as our determination and responsibility to jointly address the questions of the times and respond to changes in the world.

With the theme of "Deepen China-Africa Partnership and Promote Sustainable Development to Build a China-Africa Community of Shared Future in the New Era," the conference will review and assess the follow-up implementation of the outcomes of the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit as well as the joint China-Africa response to COVID-19, and chart the course for China-Africa relations for the next three years and more to come.

At this conference, China will elaborate on important policies on building a China-Africa community of shared future in the new era and announce new major measures for cooperation with Africa in the next three years. As I just said, President Xi Jinping will give a keynote speech. The main new measures of China's cooperation with Africa will be announced by President Xi Jinping. I won't say too much here, but I would like to share some information with you. For example, in the health sector, President Xi will announce major measures to help Africa fight against COVID-19. China will also introduce some new measures in the field of trade and investment at the request of the African side. Indeed, the FOCAC needs to improve its quality and efficiency and promote the transformation and upgrading in the next stage. Therefore, we will also jointly expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as digital innovation and green development. Climate change is now a major challenge for all mankind, and China and Africa will do their part. The two sides will issue a special declaration on addressing climate change.

I would like to thank all journalists present here for your attention to this grand China-Africa cooperation event and welcome your reports. 

Thank you.