On June 25, 2019, the Coordinators' Meeting on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was opened in Beijing. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the meeting and read the congratulatory message from President Xi Jinping and delivered a speech.

Wang Yi noted that the congratulatory message from President Xi speaks volumes about the profound friendship cherished by President Xi Jinping toward countries and peoples in Africa, and demonstrates the Chinese government's strong desire to take forward its friendship and cooperation with Africa. This message clearly spelt out what we should achieve at the meeting, and pointed the way forward for both sides to promote the long-term development of China-Africa relations.

Wang Yi expressed that thanks to our joint efforts, the FOCAC Beijing Summit held last September was a great success, ushering the China-Africa relationship into a new era of comprehensive strategic partnership. At this new historical starting point, we must follow up on the summit outcomes across the board and work toward a stronger China-Africa community with a shared future. This is what the 2.6 billion Chinese and African people aspire for; it is a lofty mission that we, China and Africa, must fulfill together. Last year's successful summit has given rise to a new boom in China-Africa exchanges and cooperation. The implementation of the summit outcomes is in full swing. It is heartening to see that the follow-up actions have produced early and high-quality results overall, and made a visible difference for the livelihood of local communities. As such, they have been widely welcomed by African countries.

Wang Yi stressed that no matter how the international situation evolves, we in China will continue to follow the principles advocated by President Xi, namely the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and that of pursuing the greater good and shared interests. We will stand unswervingly with Africa and other developing countries to safeguard the common interests of African and other developing countries.

Wang Yi said that China and Africa have always been a community with a shared future. We share similar sufferings and struggle in our histories, and are faced with the same tasks of development. We fought together for national liberation and political independence. We joined hands in developing our countries and achieving independent development. We cherish the same vision for a multipolar world and greater democracy in international relations. China-Africa cooperation is a manifestation of mutual understanding between brothers and mutual support between friends, and sets a fine example as a pioneer of South-South cooperation. China values its relations with Africa; it respects and supports Africa. China never goes after selfish geo-political gains in Africa, and never imposes its own will on others. China's approach to cooperation with Africa has been entirely different from that of traditional powers.

Wang Yi pointed out that for China-Africa cooperation in the new era, a blueprint has been drawn and it now all comes down to implementation. China will work with Africa to deliver on its commitment with concrete and effective actions, and fully and effectively implement the agreements and outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit. First, we need to keep to the fundamental direction of building a China-Africa community with a shared future. China supports the efforts of the AU to seek greater strength through unity to elevate the China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership to a new level. Second, we need to remain committed to jointly developing the Belt and Road Initiative. China will strengthen the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative, the eight major initiatives and the development strategies of African countries to truly improve African countries' capacity for self-driven and sustainable development. Third, we need to uphold the just cause of multilateralism. China and Africa should take a clear stand against unilateralism, protectionism and bullyism in all manifestations to safeguard the common interests of all developing countries and emerging economies. Fourth, we need to promote the spirit of equal and open cooperation. We call on all countries to engage and embrace Africa on the basis of equality and with an open mind. China will encourage other members of the international community to increase investment in Africa. China will also work with other countries to pool our strengths to help African countries fasten development and rejuvenation.

Wang Yi emphasized that all countries are entitled to development and progress, a right that both the Chinese and African peoples are exercising in our abiding pursuit of the Chinese Dream and the African Dream with our own efforts and through international cooperation. No interference will weaken our resolve to strengthen cooperation with Africa, nor will any obstacle stop China and Africa from working together for rejuvenation.

The Coordinators' Meeting on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the FOCAC Beijing Summit was held in Beijing from June 24 to 25. Ministerial officers from the Chinese side and the African members of the FOCAC attended the meeting. More than 500 people were invited to attend the opening ceremony, including special guests of the meeting, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, heads and principal members of the FOCAC African delegations, representatives of Chinese and African governments, diplomatic envoys of African countries to China, representatives of the African Union to China, as well as representatives of Chinese and African think tanks and scholars.