Beijing, 5 September 2018: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, was received today by President Xi Jinping. The meeting took place in the aftermath of the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing from 2 to 4 September 2018, in which the Chairperson of the Commission participated.

President Xi Jinping took the opportunity to express his appreciation for the crucial role played by the African Union in advancing the continent and achieving its unity. In this regard, he reaffirmed China's support for the goal of silencing the guns by 2020, as well as the integration of the continent. He announced the launch of new programs to support African Union's efforts on the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; regional infrastructure; investments and the Free Trade Area; civil aviation; the African Standby Force and the fight against terrorism; education; and capacity building.

During the meeting, the Chairperson of the Commission and President Xi Jinping reiterated their commitment to work towards the continued deepening of the partnership between the African Union and China, building on the Declaration and Plan of Action adopted by the FOCAC Summit, as well as on the announcements made by President Xi Jinping on that occasion. They emphasized the centrality of FOCAC as an exemplary tool for win-win cooperation.

In this context, they highlighted the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Agenda 2063. They committed to do everything possible to ensure that both parties take full advantage of this synergy. It should be noted that, on 2 September, the Chairperson of the Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation within the framework of the BRI with the Chairperson of the National Development and Reform Commission and Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

The Chairperson of the Commission and President Xi Jinping also reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and respect for international law, as well as the need for greater efforts to promote the emergence of a truly inclusive global governance system that reflects today's world realities. They noted that Africa and China, which alone represent one-third of humanity, constitute a major force on the international scene.

The Chairperson of the Commission and President Xi Jinping welcomed the establishment of the African Union Mission in China as a tool for strengthening the strategic partnership between Africa and China. The solemn launch ceremony of the Mission was held on 2 September under the joint chairmanship of the Chairperson of the Commission and China's State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Wang Yi.

The Chairperson of the Commission and President Xi Jinping welcomed the establishment of the African Union Mission in China as a tool for strengthening the strategic partnership between Africa and China. The solemn launch ceremony of the Mission was held on 2 September under the joint chairmanship of the Chairperson of the Commission and China's State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Wang Yi.

The Chairperson of the Commission took the opportunity to thank President Xi Jinping for China's outstanding support for Africa and the Commission, as well as for the sincerity and friendship that characterize his country’s actions. He invited President Xi Jinping to visit the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa at his earliest convenience.

The Chairperson of the Commission also met with Mr. Wang Yang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Discussions focused on FOCAC and its follow-up, as well as on other issues of common interest.