Chinese state councilor meets AUC Chairman

BEIJING - State Councilor Dai Bingguo and African Union Commission (AUC) Chairman Jean Ping met in Beijing on Friday on China-Africa cooperation.

Dai hailed traditional friendship and mutual support between China and Africa, saying China has always respected African countries based on the principle of equality and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.

Africa, which has strong desire and vast potential for development, is now facing great development opportunities, said Dai, adding that China is willing to work together with African countries to achieve mutual support and development.

Ping said the successful holding of the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) showed that China attaches great importance to strengthening Sino-African strategic cooperation.

Without any political obstacles, Africa and China share promising cooperation prospects, he added.

Ping came to China to attend the opening ceremony of the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of FOCAC on Thursday morning.