FOCAC summit adopts Johannesburg Declaration, 2016/2018 Action Plan

The second Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit on Saturday adopted the Johannesburg Declaration and a two-year Action Plan that outlines specific measures aimed at consolidating the growing mutual partnership between two sides.

The two-day summit was held in Johannesburg under the theme "Africa-China Progressing Together: Win-Win Cooperation for Common Development".

The Johannesburg Declaration's signatories pledged to continue to strengthen the current platform for collective dialogue, consolidate Africa-China traditional friendship, deepen strategic collaboration and enhance the mechanism of practical cooperation between China and Africa.

Both sides agreed to upgrade the new type of strategic partnership to comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership and promote a comprehensive upgrading of the China-Africa friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation.

"We are committed to strengthening cooperation, coordination and support between the two sides in international organizations and multilateral mechanisms on regional and international issues of common interest, jointly advancing democracy and the rule of law in international relations, advocating for an equitable and just international order, in order to build a harmonious world of durable peace and common prosperity," the declaration reads.

"We stand for the establishment of a just international order with win-win cooperation at its core to promote a more equitable, fair and reasonable development and to safeguard and enhance the legitimate rights and interests of the developing countries," it added.

China is committed to supporting Africa's efforts to implement Agenda 2063, its First 10-Year Implementation Plan and NEPAD and believes that they are essential to Africa's pursuit of peace, stability, integration, growth and development, the Johannesburg Declaration said.

"We underscore the importance of intensifying cooperation in projects related to beneficiation at source, while enhancing technical and intellectual capacities; Enhance collaboration in the development of industrial production capabilities and value addition by establishing industrial parks and clusters, technology parks, special economic zones (SEZs) and engineering centres providing training for engineering and technical personnel and managers; Actively explore the linkages between China's initiatives of building the Silk Road Economic Belt and 2lst Century Maritime Silk Road and Africa's economic integration and sustainable development agenda, and seek more opportunities to promote common development and realize our common dreams," it added.

The summit is the second of its kind under the 15-year-old framework of the FOCAC, which groups China, 50 African countries that have established diplomatic ties with China, and the Commission of the African Union.

Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail participated Saturday in the summit's concluding session.

Sources: MENA