China and African Union Strategic Dialogue begins in Beijing

China and the African Union (AU) held their fifth strategic dialogue to boost cooperation on Friday. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and AU Commission Chairman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma co-chaired the dialogue, the first of which was held in 2008. Yang said China is willing to expand cooperation with the AU in a variety of fields, including infrastructure, agriculture, human resources and media, in a bid to advance the development of China-Africa ties. “As the AU joined in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, whose fifth ministerial conference launched a train of measures concerning cooperation with the AU, relations between the two sides now have a solid foundation,” Yang said. China and the AU should further coordination in international and regional affairs, Yang added. Zuma thanked China for its enduring support on the cause of peace and development in Africa, noting that Africa regards China as a trustworthy partner. Africa would like to draw on China’s experiences in readjusting its economic structure, thus promoting its continuous development, she said. Both sides also exchanged views on the situation in Africa and other international and regional issues of common concern.