Xi pledges support for AU's role in regional, global affairs ahead of China-Africa summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in Pretoria, South Africa, Dec 3, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

PRETORIA - China attaches great importance to its relations with the African Union (AU) and supports the organization to play a significant role in Africa's development, integration as well as in regional and global affairs, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, AU Commission chairperson, in South Africa's executive capital, before he leaves for a summit on China-Africa cooperation in Johannesburg.

Xi called on China and the AU to enhance political mutual trust, perfect mechanism of dialogue and forge a strategic partnership.

On economic ties, the president said the two sides should synergize their development strategies through pushing forward production capacity cooperation. China is ready to provide assistance to Africa in addressing its bottleneck problems of backwardness of infrastructure and shortage of talents.

Xi also urged both sides to strengthen cooperation in disease control and prevention, people-to-people exchanges and other fields, so as to foster new bright spots in bilateral cooperation.

China has always adhered to the principle of "African issues should be addressed by the African people in the African way," Xi said, stressing the country will never interfere in internal affairs of the African countries.

China backs AU's efforts in maintaining peace of the continent, Xi said, noting that China is willing to enhance security cooperation with the AU, strengthen bilateral communication and coordination in major international issues and make joint efforts in safeguarding the common interests of developing countries in the United Nations and on other multilateral occasions.

Dlamini-Zuma said it is of great significance that Xi is to co-chair the second summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in South Africa.

She thanked China for its long-term help to Africa, especially the timely and valuable assistance in the fight against the Ebola epidemic.

She also expressed gratitude to China for its support to the AU in improving its peace-keeping ability, stressing the African countries are ready to work with China in achieving the Agenda 2063, a blue print of Africa's development.