Chinese premier sends congratulatory message to AU summit

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday hailed the African Union (AU)'s role in international and regional affairs as the regional organization opened a summit in Malabo, capital of Equatorial Guinea. In a message wishing full success for the 17th session of the Heads of State and Government of the AU, Wen expressed his hope that African countries, under the leadership of the AU, could keep on making new achievements in revitalizing the continent. Meanwhile, Wen spoke highly of China-Africa relations. ( He said that China is willing to strengthen coordination with Africa in international and regional affairs, boost bilateral cooperation under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and jointly promote the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership. The June 30-July 1 summit will focus on major regional issues, including the Libyan crisis, and the challenges associated with empowering the youth and making them forces of development.