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Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan (2019-2021)

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Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan (2019-2021)

Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan (2019-2021)
Photo credit: GCIS

1. Preamble

1.1 The 2018 Beijing Summit and the Seventh Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held in Beijing from 2 to 4 September 2018. Heads of State and Government, Heads of Delegation, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Ministers in charge of economic cooperation from China and 53 African countries (hereinafter referred to as “the two sides”) attended the Summit and the Ministerial Conference respectively.

1.2 The two sides reviewed with satisfaction the development of relations between China and Africa, and commended the Forum for its well-developed structure and improved efficiency over the past 18 years since its inception, and for its contribution in substantiating China-Africa relations, advancing in-depth China-Africa cooperation across the board and leading and promoting international cooperation with Africa. The two sides agreed that the existing mechanisms of the Forum should be maintained.

1.3 The two sides are encouraged by the comprehensive and effective implementation of the ten cooperation plans and the follow-up actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Johannesburg Action Plan (2016-2018), and decide to, in the spirit of the Beijing Declaration – Toward an Even Stronger China-Africa Community with a Shared Future, jointly advance Belt and Road cooperation, further strengthen the forward-looking China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership, and build an even stronger China-Africa community with a shared future for the benefits of both peoples.

1.4 The two sides are of the view that, as China, the largest developing country, works to realize the two centenary goals and the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation, and as Africa, the continent with the most developing countries, implements Agenda 2063 and is striving to build an integrated, prosperous and peaceful continent, the two sides share similar philosophies, compatible strategies and complementary strengths in terms of development. The two sides will take the Belt and Road Initiative as an opportunity to strengthen multi-dimensional, wide-ranging and in-depth cooperation for mutual benefits and common development.

1.5 The two sides believe that Africa is an important partner in Belt and Road cooperation, and pledge to leverage the strengths of the Forum and support China and Africa in jointly building the Belt and Road.

1.6 China will act in the principles of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith, uphold justice while pursuing shared interests, and focus on supporting Africa’s capacity-building for internally-driven development in view of Africa’s aspiration to reduce poverty, improve people’s livelihood, attract more investment and boost export, and will continue to increase input and scale up cooperation with Africa.

1.7 To implement the outcomes of the Summit and the Conference, and to chart the course of China-Africa friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation across all fields in the next three and even more years under the theme of “China and Africa: Toward an Even Stronger Community with a Shared Future Through Win-Win Cooperation”, the two sides jointly formulate and adopt with consensus this Action Plan.

1.8 China will, on the basis of the ten cooperation plans already adopted, launch eight major initiatives including an industrial promotion initiative, an infrastructure connectivity initiative, a trade facilitation initiative, a green development initiative, a capacity building initiative, a health care initiative, a people-to-people exchange initiative and a peace and security initiative in close collaboration with African countries in the next three years and beyond, to support African countries in achieving independent and sustainable development at a faster pace. The content of the eight major initiatives will be reflected in the following articles of this Action Plan.

2. Political Cooperation

2.4 China, the African Union and Africa’s Sub-regional Organizations

2.4.1 The two sides recognize the important role of the African Union in safeguarding peace and stability and promoting the integration of Africa. The African side appreciates China’s efforts and contribution in promoting peace, stability and development in Africa.

2.4.2 The two sides agree to consolidate and strengthen the momentum of friendly exchanges between China and the African Union and Africa’s sub-regional organizations to enhance strategic trust and practical cooperation.

2.4.3 China appreciates the positive role of the African Union Commission since joining the FOCAC, and welcomes the establishment of an African Union Representative Mission in Beijing.

2.4.4 China will continue to engage with the African Union and sub-regional organizations of Africa through various consultations and dialogues to strengthen communication over the economic development of Africa and its sub-regions and important regional issues. China will continue to support the capacity building of the African Union and Africa’s sub-regional organizations.

2.4.5 China applauds the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. The two sides will explore ways to further cooperate in the Free Trade Area.

3. Economic Cooperation

3.1 Agriculture, Food Security and Food Safety

3.1.1 Africa commends China’s efforts in actively implementing the China-Africa agricultural modernization plan and appreciates the emergency food aid provided by China since the previous Summit, which has helped alleviate the crises of recipient countries and improved their food security. China will, in view of the urgent needs of African countries, continue to provide food aid, and is assured of the support and cooperation from the African side in this regard.

3.1.2 China supports Africa’s agricultural modernization and will help Africa upgrade the industry and agricultural infrastructure, increase agricultural productivity and the value added of agro-products, improve Africa’s ability to ensure food security, invest in testing and adaptation of machines to African conditions, establish African dealerships capable of after-sale support and service, support township and village industries’ development, promote inclusive growth and shared prosperity and support Africa in achieving general food security by 2030.

3.1.3 China will work with Africa to formulate and implement a program of action to promote China-Africa cooperation on agricultural modernization, implement 50 agricultural assistance programs, provide RMB 1 billion of emergency humanitarian food assistance to African countries affected by natural disasters, send 500 senior agriculture experts to Africa, and train entrepreneurs in agri-business.

3.1.4 In view of the challenges in Africa on food security and the need for increase in food production, China supports Africa in enhancing productive capacity in agriculture which comprises promotion of high-tech food production and agro-processing. The two sides will encourage sustainable agriculture and organic farming through enhanced food safety and food security, environment friendly production techniques and efficient management of natural resources which include the use of renewable energy and water savings system to reduce production cost and increase resilience to climate change.

3.1.5 The two sides will work together to improve food security risk management systems and establish an emergency response mechanism and China will support its operationalization. Africa appreciates China’s efforts in carrying out agricultural technology capacity services, implementing senior agriculture technician exchange programs, training young leaders in agricultural development, carrying out cooperation in such areas as scientific research, technical training, and technology transfer, and supporting Africa in building a whole agricultural value chain from production, processing to marketing. China will continue to enhance consultation and cooperation on the planning and designing of agricultural policy with Africa, and support its implementation of the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Program (CAADP), including AU-led programmes and activities on food safety.

3.1.6 China will provide assistance in terms of capacity building, technology transfer through exchange of scientists and development of new research thrusts in the crops, including molecular detection and identification of plant diseases, pest risk analysis, seed health testing/certification, and management of quarantine containment facilities for high risk materials with biosecurity levels.

3.1.7 The two sides will work together to institutionalize China-Africa agricultural cooperation. The two sides will set up a China-AU Agriculture Cooperation Commission, hold China-Africa Agriculture Cooperation Forum regularly, enhance human resources cooperation, improve the “10+10” cooperation mechanism between Chinese and African agricultural research institutes, and train young researchers in agri-science for Africa.

3.1.8 The two sides will establish a China-Africa Research Center for the Development of Green Agriculture, and actively advance cooperation between Chinese and African agribusinesses and social organizations. The two sides will undertake wide-ranging activities such as investment promotion, technical exchanges, joint research and strengthening of extension services.

3.1.9 The Chinese side will strengthen cooperation with cotton-producing African countries to help establish high quality standards and enhance their capacity for industrial planning, production, processing, storage, transportation and trade, move them up the cotton production value chain, and expand Africa’s market share in the international cotton market.

3.1.10 In addition, China will foster and further develop the China-Africa cooperation with regard to the sugar cane sector. China will explore possibilities to facilitate trade of sugar products with high potentials.

3.1.11 Both sides will work together in the agro-industrial sector to increase the capacity of agri-entrepreneurs to export their products on the regional market and enhance skills of farmers at grass root level in modern farm management techniques. China and Africa will also explore avenues of collaboration with regard to livestock in terms of technical cooperation in waste treatment system.

3.2 Industry Partnering and Industrial Capacity Cooperation

3.2.1 China and Africa have mutual needs and complementary advantages in industry partnering and industrial capacity cooperation. The two sides will fully tap into China’s strengths in equipment and technology, draw on the complementarity of the industrial supply and development needs of the two sides, and promote the growth of real economies.

3.2.2 China encourages policy-based financial institutions, developmental financial institutions, the China-Africa Development Fund, the China-Africa Fund for Industrial Cooperation and the Special Loan for the Development of African SMEs to scale up support for China-Africa industrial capacity cooperation to boost the industrialization of Africa.

3.2.3 The two sides will advance industrial capacity cooperation along with the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative and in line with the Agenda 2063, make best use of industrial capacity cooperation mechanisms, work for tangible results from various projects, and leverage the exemplary role of large projects in strengthening such industrial capacity cooperation. China has decided to open a China-Africa economic and trade expo in China.

3.2.4 China will step up support in the development of industries in Africa including processing and manufacturing and the development of special economic zones and industrial parks, and support Chinese private enterprises in setting up industrial parks in Africa and carrying out technology transfer, to help African countries build more diversified economies and stronger capabilities for self-driven development.

3.2.5 African countries will continue to improve the legal framework and infrastructure, and provide efficient and results-oriented government services wherever possible to create a more enabling environment for attracting investment from Chinese enterprises and for industrial capacity cooperation.

3.3 Infrastructure Development

3.3.1 China and Africa applaud the joint implementation of the China-Africa infrastructure cooperation plan. The two sides will aim to pursue efficient and high-quality development, focus on the economic and social benefits of projects, step up mutually beneficial cooperation for the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance and good governance of infrastructure projects and maintain the sustainability of the debt of relevant African countries. China supports Chinese enterprises in utilizing their advanced equipment and technology, and their expertise in standards and service to help African countries improve infrastructure and connectivity.

3.3.2 The two sides will, in view of the cross-border and trans-regional infrastructure development plans of Africa, and by taking into consideration the real needs of African countries and economic and social returns of relevant projects, explore and advance cooperation on projects promoting continental, regional and sub-regional connectivity. China has decided to jointly formulate a China-Africa infrastructure cooperation plan with the African Union. China will support Chinese companies in participating in Africa’s infrastructure development by way of investment-construction-operation or through other models, with focus on enhancing cooperation on energy, transport, information, telecommunications and cross-border water resources. China will work with Africa to undertake a number of key connectivity projects.

3.3.3 China will, under the China-Africa Regional Aviation Cooperation Program, provide regional aircraft for civilian use, train aviation professionals for Africa, provide capacity building to enable compliance with ICAO standards and recommended practices and support Chinese companies in setting up joint ventures with African airlines and African businesses and participating in the building of airports and other auxiliary infrastructure to advance Africa’s regional aviation .

3.3.4 China will support Africa in developing the Single African Air Transport Market. The two sides will support each other in the goal of aviation market access, the realization of the Single African Air Transport Market, a flagship project of AU Agenda 2063 and the opening of more air routes and sea lanes connecting China and Africa by Chinese and African airlines and shipping companies as appropriate. The two sides will actively study the feasibility of signing a more liberal and flexible agreement in order to enhance cooperation in aviation market access. China encourages and supports investment by competent Chinese enterprises in sea ports, airports and aviation companies of Africa, and the African side welcomes such investment. The two sides will continue the cooperation in communication, remote sensing satellite and their application.

3.3.5 The two sides will, in recognition of the strategic and far-reaching impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on economic and social development, enhance exchanges and cooperation between competent authorities, share good practice in each other’s ICT development, seize the opportunity presented by the digital economy, and encourage companies to carry out cooperation in ICT infrastructure, the internet and the digital economy.

3.3.6 The two sides will actively explore and advance cooperation in the application of new technologies including cloud computing, big data, and the mobile internet. China will support African countries in building “smart cities” and enhancing the role of ICT in safeguarding public security, counter terrorism and fighting crime and work with the African side to uphold information security.

3.3.7 Both sides encourage and support their companies to participate and partner in the building of ICT infrastructure of African countries, including optical fiber cable backbone networks, cross-border connectivity, international undersea cable, new-generation mobile network, and data center and cooperate in a mutually beneficial way in the construction, operation and service of relevant infrastructures.

3.3.8 The two sides will enhance cooperation at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and other international organizations, and step up coordination on training, Internet connectivity and the building of innovation centers. Both sides are ready to cooperate on strategic consultations on ICT policy-making and development, and to work together to narrow the digital divide and promote the building of an information society in Africa.

3.4 Energy and Natural Resources

3.4.1 China and Africa will enhance policy dialogue and technological exchanges on energy and resources, coordinate each other’s energy and resource strategies, conduct joint research, and formulate energy development plans that are operable and based on local conditions. The two sides will work together for the establishment of a China-Africa Energy Cooperation Center in Africa to further advance energy exchanges and cooperation.

3.4.2 The two sides encourage and support Chinese and African companies, while upholding the principle of mutual benefits, to work together in energy trade and the investment, development and operation of energy projects, carry out demonstration projects in green energy financing, and explore green and sustainable ways of energy cooperation. China will support the development of renewable energy, mainly solar energy in Africa as well as the use of battery storage and strengthening of the electricity grid.

3.4.3 The Chinese side supports Africa’s capacity-building in the energy sector, and will provide professional training for personnel from competent authorities, research institutions and key companies of relevant countries to improve Africa’s capabilities in developing and managing their own energy systems.

3.4.4 The Chinese side will, on the basis of respecting the will of African countries, explore third-party cooperation with Africa in the energy sector, where each side can leverage their strengths, provide policy recommendation for Africa’s energy development, and work for progress of relevant projects.

3.4.5 The two sides will actively consider the joint establishment of a China-Africa Geoscience Cooperation Center for joint research on national resources sustainability and environment, in order to gain greater ability for the sustainable development and utilization of national resources by the respective countries.

3.5 Ocean Economy

3.5.1 The two sides recognize the enormous potential of maritime economic cooperation and will work to promote blue economy cooperation for mutual benefits.

3.5.2 China will continue to provide funds and technical support under the framework of technical cooperation of the International Maritime Organization, and work with African countries to train shipping professionals and strengthen capacity-building to promote the sustainable development of maritime shipping.

3.5.3 The two sides will strengthen exchanges and cooperation between sea ports. China will provide technical assistance to African countries in the drawing-up of plans for building coastal and special marine economic zones, the development of sea ports and adjacent industrial parks, and the planning of marine industries, and support IT development and application in African sea ports. China will step up cooperation with Africa to promote the blue economy, and carry out closer investment and financing cooperation with Africa.

3.5.4 The two sides will actively consider jointly building a China-Africa Cooperation Center for Ocean Science and Blue Economy. The two sides will continue to enhance cooperation and exchanges in offshore aquaculture, maritime transportation, shipbuilding and repair, offshore wind power, maritime information services, maritime security, marine resources development, the protection and management of islands, scientific research, ocean monitoring and polar research, among others.

3.5.5 The two sides encourage more exchanges and cooperation among Chinese and African maritime institutes and marine research institutes. China will support African countries in their marine capacity building by providing technical support and training programs.

3.5.6 China supports Africa in the capacity-building of maritime law-enforcement and environment protection to ensure the security of maritime resources and promote maritime development and cooperation and the promotion of sustainable approaches that are environmentally, socially and economically effective through the Blue Economy.

3.6 Tourism

3.6.1 China welcomes more African countries to become destinations for Chinese tour groups. The two sides will roll out visa facilitation policies as appropriate and streamline customs procedures to enable easier traveling so that mutual tourist visits could steadily increase.

3.6.2 The two sides will continue to invite one another to attend tourism exhibitions and hold promotion events to build platforms for experience sharing, business negotiations and products promotion for Chinese and African government agencies and tourism businesses.

3.6.3 The two sides encourage local governments and travel and tourism trade companies to enhance dialogue, cooperation and mutual visits, expand two-way investment and step up the sharing of information and experience through various channels with a view to improving connectivity and exchange of tourists.

3.6.4 The two sides encourage capacity building and training exchange programs for employees of the tourism industry and industry partners to improve quality of service. The two sides will collaborate in enhancing infrastructure relevant to development of the tourism industry in Africa including promotion of cruise tourism and stop overs in African countries.

3.7 Investment and Economic Cooperation

3.7.1 Africa appreciates China’s efforts in implementing the China-Africa industrialization plan, promoting industrial partnering and production capacity cooperation, building or upgrading industrial parks and other economic and trade cooperation zones, and providing effective and sustainable basic vocational training for African workforce to help Africa translate its population dividends into development strength. China will continue to support Africa’s efforts in advancing economic transformation, improving industrial competitiveness, and generating more jobs.

3.7.2 The two sides will continue to encourage and support mutual investment, reduce investment barriers, and cooperate towards the negotiation, signing, renewal and implementation of Bilateral Investment Treaty, to put in place a more enabling environment for mutual investment. China will encourage Chinese companies to increase investment in Africa, build and upgrade a number of economic and trade cooperation zones in Africa. China will encourage Chinese companies to make at least US$10 billion of investment in Africa in the next three years, support Chinese companies in Africa to forge alliance of corporate social responsibilities and support Africa’s efforts to harmonize policies, laws and regulations pertaining to private sector investment in regional projects.

3.7.3 The two sides will make good use of the Chinese initiative towards Africa and all its relevant tools, make good use of the CADFUND and the China-Africa Fund for Industrial Cooperation to encourage Chinese companies to invest in Africa, and make good use of the Investing in Africa Forum to enhance the sharing of development experience and step up cooperation in production capacity, trade and investment. The two sides will share information about investment policies, opportunities and regulations, recent economic developments and mutual fields of cooperation. The two sides will give full play to the role of the Investing in Africa Think Tank Union in providing intellectual support to improve Africa’s investment environment and attract more investment in sectors with mutual interest.

3.7.4 The two sides will continue to carry out practical tax cooperation. China will support African countries to improve tax collection and administration capabilities through technical assistance and personnel training. The two sides will negotiate, sign, and implement agreements on the avoidance of double taxation and resolve cross-border tax disputes to create a favorable taxation environment for China-Africa trade and investment.

3.8 Trade

3.8.1 The African side appreciates China’s efforts in implementing the China-Africa trade and investment facilitation plan to promote trade connectivity in Africa by strengthening African countries’ customs and taxation law enforcement capabilities and upgrading customs and transportation facilities. China will continue to work with Africa in such areas as market access, personnel training and customs.

3.8.2 China supports the building of the African Continental Free Trade Area, will continue to hold free trade negotiations with interested African countries and regions, and will actively explore cooperation possibilities with the African side following the principle of mutual benefits and openness.

3.8.3 China supports Africa in boosting its export and has decided to increase imports, particularly non-resource products, from Africa, with a focus on value added agricultural produce and industrial products. China supports Chinese local governments and business councils and associations in organizing companies to carry out trade promotion activities in Africa and will hold, on a regular basis, marketing activities for Chinese and African brand products. China supports African countries in participating in the China International Import Expo. The least developed African countries participating in it will be exempted from paying exhibition stand fees. China welcomes participation of African companies in the China Import and Export Fair, the China International Agricultural Trade Fair and other important trade fairs, and will provide preferential and facilitating measures where necessary.

3.8.4 China will continue to materialize its pledge of zero-tariff treatment for 97% of tax items from African LDCs having diplomatic relations with China, deliver on this policy upon the bilateral exchange of notes, and take effective measures to make it easier for the recipient countries to benefit from this policy.

3.8.5 China supports Chinese companies’ mutually beneficial cooperation with the African side, encourages financial institutions to provide export credit and export credit insurance to key projects such as railway, telecommunications and power projects undertaken by Chinese companies on the premise that risks are under control and supports the setting up of a US$5 billion special fund for financing imports from Africa. The two sides welcome and support the establishment of the China-Africa Private Sector Forum.

3.8.6 China will actively expand trade in services cooperation with Africa, enhance information sharing and capacity-building, help Africa train more professionals in the service trade and outsourcing, and enhance cooperation, exchanges and training in relevant areas.

3.8.7 China will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation on market regulation and between customs authorities. China will support African countries to improve their customs management and modernization, expand cooperation with Africa on customs clearance facilitation, law enforcement and capacity-building, jointly fight the smuggling of endangered species and their products, counterfeit products, commercial fraud and other crimes and implement 50 trade facilitation programs for Africa, to promote a healthy and growing China-Africa trade.

3.8.8 China will set up relevant mechanisms to promote e-commerce cooperation with Africa, including helping improve export management, establishing an internet-visa system (where appropriate), and advancing trade facilitation via the use of electronic certificates.

3.8.9 China will step up exchanges and cooperation with African countries on standards and measurement, and support Africa’s capacity-building in this area.

3.8.10 To promote mutually beneficial cooperation, the Chinese side will continue to facilitate the opening of businesses by African countries in China and protect the legitimate rights and interests of companies in China invested by African countries.

3.9 Finance

3.9.1 China will extend loans of concessional nature, export credit line and export credit insurance to African countries, make the loans reasonably more concessional, create new financing models and improve the terms and conditions of the credit to support China-Africa Belt and Road cooperation and industrial capacity cooperation, and the infrastructure construction, development of energy and resources, agriculture, manufacturing and the comprehensive development of the whole industrial chain of Africa. China will extend US$20 billion of credit lines and support the setting up of a US$10 billion special fund for development financing.

3.9.2 In its investment and financing cooperation with Africa, China is committed to the principles of no political strings, mutual benefits and efficient development, supports Africa’s pursuit of diversified and sustainable development, and will make active efforts to help African countries improve debt sustainability and achieve internally-driven development and mutually-reinforcing economic and social development.

3.9.3 Africa welcomes the Guiding Principles on Financing the Development of the Belt and Road. China will strengthen cooperation with the African Development Bank and other multilateral development banks in Africa, and properly manage the follow-up investment of the Africa Growing Together Fund (AGTF).

3.9.4 China supports stronger cooperation between the policy banks, developmental financial institutions, commercial banks, multilateral financial institutions, equity investment funds and export credit insurance institutions of the two sides, and supports the establishment of China-Africa Developmental Financing Forum and China-Africa Financial Cooperation Consortium to provide more diversified financing packages for African countries. The two sides will step up efforts to unlock investments from institutional investors that tend to make long-term investments such as insurers and sovereign wealth funds.

3.9.5 On the basis of following multilateral rules and procedures, the two sides will enhance cooperation under the framework of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the New Development Bank, the Silk Road Fund, the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and other multilateral developmental organizations, and jointly contribute to promoting infrastructure building and sustainable development.

3.9.6 China will continue to strengthen cooperation with African countries in local currency settlement. The two sides will expand the use of local currencies in bilateral trade, investment and financing, and support RMB settlement in Africa. China welcomes and will facilitate the issuance of panda bond by Africa’s sovereign, multilateral and financial institutions in the Chinese bond market to diversify the financing channels of African market entities. China will work to facilitate holding of RMB by African countries as a reserve currency.

3.9.7 The two sides will encourage and support their financial institutions to open more branches in each other’s country and expand business exchanges in accordance with domestic laws and regulations and the rules of prudential regulation of the host country. China’s financial regulatory authority will step up cooperation with African counterparts to jointly maintain the smooth operation and sound development of China and Africa’s financial systems.

4. Social Development Cooperation

4.1 Development Cooperation

4.1.1 The African side appreciates the long-standing assistance that China has provided without any political attachment to African countries and their people to the best of its abilities. China will enhance assistance to African countries, LDCs in particular, to deepen South-South cooperation and promote common development.

4.1.2 The African side applauds China’s efforts in helping African countries reduce poverty, improve people’s livelihood and implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development under the Assistance Fund for South-South Cooperation. China will share more of its development practices with Africa, support cooperation with Africa on economic and social development planning, and continue its support through the Fund to African countries for achieving the SDGs and Agenda 2063 of the African Union.

4.1.3 The African side appreciates China’s support to the African Union and sub-regional organizations in upgrading public service facilities, improving government working conditions and their capabilities of providing public services.

4.1.4 China will extend US$15 billion of grants, interest-free loans and concessional loans to Africa. For those of Africa’s least developed countries, heavily indebted and poor countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing countries that have diplomatic relations with China, the debt they have incurred in the form of interest-free Chinese government loans due to mature by the end of 2018 will be exempted.

7. International Cooperation

The world is undergoing major developments, transformation and adjustment. The trend toward multi-polarity, economic globalization, IT application and cultural diversity is surging. Changes in the global governance system and the international order are accelerating. Countries have become increasingly interconnected and interdependent. It is in line with the trend of the times and serves the interests of Chinese and African people to build a community with a shared future for mankind, an open, inclusive, clean, and beautiful world that enjoys durable peace, universal security, and common prosperity, and a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, equity, justice and win-win cooperation.

China and Africa reaffirm their commitment to mutual support in international affairs, and to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, multilateralism, the authority of the United Nations, and the important role of the UN in international affairs. The two sides will strengthen coordination and collaboration in the United Nations and other multilateral organizations, and enhance cooperation in trade, finance, environmental protection, peace and security, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, economic and social development and human rights. The two sides will work to make the international order more just and equitable, make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all, and uphold the common interests of developing countries.

8. FOCAC Institutional Development

8.1 The two sides are satisfied to see the efficient and smooth operation of the political consultations between Chinese and African Foreign Ministers on the sidelines of UNGA, the Senior Officials Meetings (SOMs), and consultations between the Chinese Follow-up Committee of FOCAC and the African diplomatic corps in China since the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit.

8.2 The two sides will continue to leverage the role of existing sub-forums under FOCAC, and jointly advance the establishment or institutionalization of new sub-forums to substantiate FOCAC and China-Africa cooperation across all areas.

8.3 In accordance with the procedures of the FOCAC follow-up mechanism, the two sides decide to hold the 8th Ministerial Conference in Senegal in 2021 and, before that, the 14th and 15th SOMs respectively in 2020 and 2021. The 5th political consultation between Chinese and African Foreign Ministers on the sidelines of the UNGA will be held in New York in September 2019.

Please note: Only extracts from the Beijing Action Plan (2019-2021) are provided above. The official PDF version will be published as soon as it becomes available.

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