3. To build a new type of strategic partnership, China and Africa should
increase cultural interaction.
Both endowed with splendid cultures, China and Africa have made important
contribution to the progress of human civilization, Hu said, adding that China
and Africa should strengthen cultural exchanges and draw on each other's culture
to increase mutual understanding and friendship.
"China supports enhanced cooperation between cultural institutions, media,
academic groups and institutions of higher learning of the two sides and would
be happy to host cultural festivals, arts exhibitions and sports events with
Africa," Hu said.
4. To build a new type of strategic partnership, China and Africa should
strengthen security cooperation.
Hu said China and African countries should strengthen exchanges and
consultation and promote collective security in the international community and
a new security concept featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and
cooperation.
"To jointly meet global challenges, China will strengthen consultation and
cooperation with Africa in non-traditional security areas such as the prevention
and control of major infectious diseases, bird flu and the fight against
transnational crimes," Hu said.
China supports the African Union and other regional organizations and
countries in Africa in their efforts to promote regional peace and will increase
its input and take an active part in the UN-led peacekeeping operations in
Africa, he added.
"China is ready to play a constructive role and help the African countries
settle their differences and disputes," Hu said.
5. In order to build a new type of strategic partnership, China and Africa
should maintain close coordination in international affairs.
Reaffirming China's appreciation for the important role played by Africa in
international affairs, Hu said China and Africa shared extensive common
positions and had a good tradition of cooperation on major international issues.
"To strengthen coordination and cooperation in major international affairs
meets our mutual interests," he said.
"China will continue to take an active part in the building of a New
Asia-Africa Strategic Partnership and other mechanisms for South-South
Cooperation and North-South Dialogue," Hu said.
Africa's aspiration for peace and development deserves respect and sympathy,
and the international community should be more focused on Africa's development
and increase assistance to Africa, said the Chinese president.
China will continue to work for more progress in UN reform to make the world
body place greater emphasis on the issue of development and address as a top
priority the under-representation of developing countries, including African
countries, he said.
In his speech, the Chinese president also reviewed the time-honored
friendship as the year of 2006 marks the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of
diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and African
countries.
Over the past 50 years, China and Africa have increased mutual understanding,
supported and helped each other, fostered profound friendship and fruitful
progress has been made in China-Africa cooperation, Hu said.
China would like to carry on the traditional friendship with Africa,
strengthen comprehensive cooperation and endeavor to forge a new type of
strategic partnership between China and Africa, the president said.