On the evening of August 27, 2012, the Reception Banquet of the First Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. CPPCC Vice Chairman Abdul’ahat Abdurixit, Uganda’s Vice President Edward Ssekandi, First Vice President of Burundi Therence Sinunguruza, Togo’s former Prime Minister Edem Kodjo and around 1700 delegates from home and abroad of the Forum attended the banquet.

Abdul’ahat, the Vice Chairman of the CPPCC, Addressing the Reception Banquet

Abdul’ahat, in his address, extended congratulations to the success of the First Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation. He said the convening of the Forum is a milestone in the history of China-Africa relations and will play an active role in deepening China-Africa friendship and pushing forward in an all-round way the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership.

Edem Kodjo, the Former Premier of Togo, Addressing the Reception Banquet

Kodjo spoke highly of the rapid all-round development of Africa-China relations. He said Africa expects an expansion of cooperation between African and Chinese local communities, and looking for inspiration from the Chinese know-how.

CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin and Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun also attended the banquet.