As China and Africa continue advancing the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in 2018 by actively promoting coordination between development strategies of the two sides, the focus is shifting to the next summit which is expected to be held later this year.

During a telephone conversation on Friday between Felix Tshisekedi, the Democratic Republic of Congo's president who is also the current African Union chairman, and President Xi Jinping, the two leaders expressed their readiness to work together to cement communication and coordination and make a success of the next meeting of the FOCAC.

During the conversation, President Xi stressed that with joint efforts from both sides, the traditional friendship and political mutual trust between China and Africa have been deepening continuously. In addition, their cooperation in trade, investment and other fields has maintained a strong momentum, and their collaboration in international affairs has grown increasingly close. 

Xi added that strengthening solidarity and cooperation with African countries has always been China's resolute strategic choice. He said that China supports the DRC's Tshisekedi playing the role of the rotating chair of the African Union and hailed the DRC's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, which he said has set up a new platform and opened up new prospects for bilateral cooperation.

On his part, Tshisekedi said that the African Union hopes to strengthen cooperation with China in such areas as fighting the pandemic, restoring economic growth, protecting the environment and building free trade areas while pushing for new progress in Africa-China relations through FOCAC.

"On behalf of the DRC and the African Union, I extend warm congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. The DRC and China have a profound friendship. The DRC upholds the one-China policy, and is firmly committed to developing the DRC-China friendship and being an important cooperation partner of China in Africa," Tshisekedi said.

"The DRC is ready to intensify exchanges with China and deepen cooperation in such areas as economy, trade, resources and infrastructure. I also want to thank China for providing supplies, vaccines and other assistance for African countries in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic," he added.

On bilateral ties between the two countries, President Xi pointed out that the DRC is an important cooperation partner of China in Africa, and the two countries have enjoyed a good tradition of mutual support and mutual trust. 

He said that the Chinese side always views and develops its relations with the DRC from a strategic and long-term perspective, supports the country in its efforts to safeguard national independence, sovereignty, security and development interests, and stands ready to increase political and governance exchanges with the DRC.

Last year, China and Africa celebrated the 20th anniversary of the founding of the FOCAC. This year, the two sides are going to further upgrade their bilateral cooperation, taking the opportunity of the upcoming session of the FOCAC to further build on their cooperation. This year's session is expected to be held in September.