State Councilor Dai Bingguo Addressing the Closing Ceremony 

On August 28, 2012, the first Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation closed in Beijing. State Councilor Dai Bingguo attended the closing ceremony and delivered a speech. Abdul’ahat Abdulrixit, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Chairman of Chinese-African People’s Friendship Association (CAPFA), Uganda’s Vice President Edward Ssekandi and First Vice President of Burundi Therence Sinunguruza attended the closing ceremony.

President Li Xiaolin of the CPAFFC Addressing the Closing Ceremony

Dai said China-Africa friendship has a long history and a solid foundation. The Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was held successfully last month, which lays a more solid foundation for promoting the development of a new type of China-Africa strategic partnership. "Friendly and cooperative Chinese-African relations are a common political treasure and unique strategic advantage belonging to both sides," Dai said. Under the current global situation, China will work with African countries by advancing with the times and forging ahead with innovation to enhance political mutual trust, bolster cooperation in multiple fields and push China-Africa relations to a new level, he said.

Signing Ceremony of Agreements on Strategic Cooepration

Dai emphasized that the local government cooperation is an important part of China-Africa relations. During the two-day forum, delegates held heated discussions on the theme of "promoting sub-national cooperation for common development" and reached broad consensus. China is ready to work with African countries to give full play to the role of the forum and its relevant mechanisms, actively implement the outcomes of this forum and constantly open up new ways and add new content for China-Africa cooperation.

The Beijing Declaration of the First Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation was issued at the closing ceremony. The signing ceremony of agreements on establishing friendly ties between China and Africa at provincial levels was also held.

Vice President Feng Zuoku of the CPAFFC
Announcing the Beijing Declaration of the First Forun on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation