By Zhang Maorong, World Economy Institute of China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations; cartoon drawings by Liao Tingting

The Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) opened on September 3 in Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the High-level Dialogue Between Chinese and African Leaders and Business Representatives, as well as the Sixth Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs on Monday morning,

In the afternoon, Xi delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the FOCAC Beijing Summit. Xi elaborated China's policies on the development of relations with Africa in the new era and called for working together to build an even closer China-Africa community with a shared future and put forward "the eight major initiatives."

Xi's speech won warm applause from African leaders present and received positive responses from international community.

The summit is of historic significance, opening up a new journey for the development of China-Africa relations. As a Chinese saying goes, "When you hoist the sails to cross the sea, you'll ride the wind and cleave the waves." In his speech, Xi outlined a blueprint for elevating China-Africa cooperation in the new era and injected fresh impetus in consolidating China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership.

With the consensus reached at the summit, the Chinese and African peoples will work together to forge an even stronger community with a shared future, featuring joint responsibility, win-win cooperation, shared happiness, cultural prosperity, common security, as well as harmony between humanity and nature.

The day when China realizes its dream of national renewal and Africa realizes its dream of unity and invigoration will come.

(The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Panview or CCTV.com. )

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