On December 5 local time, after the conclusion of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Foreign Minister Wang Yi jointly met the press with Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane of South Africa expressing that when participating in solving the African hotspot issues, China has always been exploring effective solutions with Chinese characteristics.

Wang Yi noted that African countries put high trust in China. They not only hope to enhance economic cooperation with China but also expect China's greater participation in solving Africa's hotpot issues and bigger role in Africa's peace and security affairs. As good friend and good brother of Africa and a permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, China has always played a positive and constructive role in safeguarding peace and security of Africa. China will continue to work with African nations to further explore and find out effective solutions with Chinese characteristics to hotspot issues in Africa in the spirit of equal consultation.

Firstly, we advocate non-interference in internal affairs of African countries and abiding by basic norms of international relations. On this basis, we will constructively participate in the settlement of the hotspot issues according to needs and wishes of countries concerned.

Secondly, we support African people to solve Africa's problems in an African way, because African brothers know the best about the actual situation and are the most qualified to solve their own problems. Thereby we support countries concerned, regional states, African sub-regional organizations and the African Union (AU) to play their due role in solving regional hotspot issues.

Thirdly, we advocate settling disputes by peaceful means. Military force can solve no problem in Africa or other regions. We support talks and negotiations promoting peace and seeking mediation and settlement under the frameworks of the UN and other regional organizations. We oppose using military force at will and taking unilateral military action without authorization of the UN and permission of countries concerned.

Fourthly, we propose comprehensive management. Hotspot issues in Africa tend to be interwoven with complicated state, national, religious and social conflicts and therefore we should tackle their symptoms and root causes at the same time, not only paying attention to meeting the current challenges but also making strenuous efforts to uproot the causes.