The Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) opens at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Nov. 4, 2006. Leaders or representatives of China, 48 African countries and the African Union Commission attended the two-day summit, focusing on "friendship, peace, cooperation and development". (Xinhua Photo)

    BEIJING, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- The landmark Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) opened Saturday morning, during which Chinese President Hu Jintao announced a package of major assistance, investment, trade and other key cooperation projects with Africa in an effort to forge a new type of strategic partnership.

    Addressing the opening ceremony, Hu listed eight steps China will take in coming years: to double its 2006 assistance to Africa by 2009, to provide 3 billion U.S. dollars of preferential loans and 2 billion dollars of preferential buyer's credits to Africa in the next three years, to establish a special fund of 5 billion dollars to encourage Chinese investment in Africa and to cancel some debts owed by the heavily indebted poor countries and the least developed countries in Africa that have diplomatic ties with China.

    The Chinese president also offered a five-point proposal to cement closer bilateral ties, saying China will deepen political relations of equality and mutual trust with Africa, broaden win-win economic cooperation, expand exchanges for cultural enrichment and promote balanced and harmonious global development.

    China and Africa will also strengthen cooperation and mutual support in international affairs, he said, adding "Without peace and development in China and Africa, there will be no global peace and development."

    Hu said China and Africa enjoy trust and cooperate closely to uphold the legitimate rights and interests of the developing world, adding China has firmly supported Africa in winning liberation and pursuing development, and it has also received great support from African countries.

    President Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of Congo that chairs the African Union for the 2006 session, expressed Africa's appreciation to China for its announcement of eight new actions, noting "The Chinese government has, as always, fulfilled its commitment and the African people have benefited a lot from China's generosity."

    Prime Minister Ato Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia that co-chairs the forum said the China-Africa partnership, forged 50 years ago, must be renewed to address immediate challenges of fighting poverty and backwardness and seeking economic independence.

    Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong and Vice Premier Wu Yi were also present at the opening ceremony of the summit highlighting "friendship, peace, cooperation and development".

    FOCAC, launched in 2000, is a mechanism for collective dialogue and cooperation jointly established by China and Africa to cope with new challenges and facilitate common development.

    Later Saturday, the High-level Dialogue and 2nd Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs opened at the Great Hall of the People, where Premier Wen Jiabao proposed China and Africa fully tap cooperation potential and strive to bring their trade volume to 100 billion dollars by 2010.

    "Although China's trade has been running a deficit against Africa in recent years, China still hopes to further expand its import from African countries," Wen said.

    He said both sides should work closer in service sectors, tourism, finance and telecommunications in particular, to cultivate new economic growth points and facilitate trade in a more balanced and healthier manner.

    "We will also encourage capable Chinese companies to invest in the trade and economic cooperation zones in Africa," he said. "African companies interested in investing in China are welcome."

    Wen said China will increase the number of scholarships to African students and will train 15,000 African professionals over the coming three years to help the construction of African countries.

    In the evening, a grand welcoming banquet and a performing gala were given in honor of the visiting African guests.

    On Sunday, the China-Africa Joint Chamber of Commerce will be set up, with an aim to enhance cooperation between business circles of China and Africa.