South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hailed the role of FOCAC in promoting South-South cooperation and relations between China and African countries. He called it a valuable and practical dialogue that helps to bring about a more equitable international order and amplify Africa's voice on the world stage.

Since its inception, FOCAC has become an engine of progress and an instrument through which the two sides have forged diplomacy, security, trade and investment ties that bind African countries and China, Ramaphosa said. He added that South-South cooperation has become more important than ever as the two sides work to overcome the pandemic and strive for an equitable global economic recovery.

The triennial event brought together leaders including Senegalese President Macky Sall, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat.

Full Text: Xi's speech at opening ceremony of 8th FOCAC ministerial conference

Zhao Jia contributed to this story.