Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Thursday attended the Africa Day reception in Beijing and delivered an address.

On behalf of the Chinese government, Qin congratulated Africa on the 60^th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity, a predecessor of the African Union. He said that the establishment of the organization was an epoch-making event in the history of Africa, opening a new chapter in the unity and self-improvement of African countries.

The Organization of African Unity was established on May 25, 1963, and thereafter May 25 was designated as Africa Day.

Qin noted that China and Africa have shared solidarity and mutual support over the past 60 years. He also emphasized that China and Africa entered the new era of building a China-Africa community with a shared future over the past decade under the guidance of the principle of sincerity, real results, affinity, and good faith.

Qin said that currently China and Africa are both standing at a new historical point and are embracing new and important opportunities, and it is more important than ever for China and Africa to strengthen their solidarity and cooperation. He put forward five suggestions for further deepening China-Africa cooperation, including safeguarding each other's legitimate rights and interests, promoting modernization in its own right, boosting the reform of the global governance system, working towards common security, and strengthening the exchange of civilizations and mutual appreciation.

Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Demeke Mekonnen Hassen, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Christophe Lutundula, ambassadors and envoys of African countries in China also attended the reception.