I. Preamble
1.1 On 3-5 November 2006, the Beijing Summit and the Third Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) were held in Beijing. Heads of state, government and delegation as well as ministers of foreign affairs and ministers in charge of economic cooperation from China and 48 African countries (hereinafter referred to as "the two sides") attended the Summit and Ministerial Conference respectively.
1.2 The two sides reviewed with satisfaction the growth of friendship and cooperation between the People's Republic of China and African countries in the past 50 years since the inauguration of their diplomatic relations. Pleased and encouraged to note the good progress of their mutually beneficial cooperation that has brought benefit to their peoples in the past six years since the founding of FOCAC, and satisfied with the faithful delivery of the commitments in the Addis Ababa Action Plan (2004-2006) adopted at the Second Ministerial Conference, the two sides resolved to make joint efforts to advance the new type of strategic partnership between China and Africa in keeping with the Declaration of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
1.3 To build on the success of the Summit and Conference, chart the course for China-Africa cooperation in all areas in the next three years and promote friendship, peace, cooperation and development, the two sides have formulated and adopted this Action Plan.
II. Political Cooperation
2.1 High-level Visits and Dialogue
Taking note that contacts and exchange of visits between Chinese and African leaders have increased notably since the Second FOCAC Ministerial Conference, the two sides agreed to continue the momentum of high-level visit and dialogue to enhance traditional friendship and mutual trust, conduct regular exchange of views and close coordination and cooperation on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues and share experience on governance to pursue common development and progress.
2.2 Consultation and Cooperation Mechanisms
2.2.1 Convinced that FOCAC has become an important platform for collective dialogue and effective mechanism for pragmatic cooperation between China and Africa, the two sides decided to vigorously carry out follow-up actions, actively explore ways to strengthen the building of a follow-up mechanism and enhance communication and cooperation within the framework of FOCAC.
2.2.2 The two sides agreed to set up a mechanism of regular political dialogue between foreign ministers of the two sides within the FOCAC framework. In the following year of every FOCAC Ministerial Conference, foreign ministers from the two sides will hold political consultation in New York on the sideline of the UN General Assembly to exchange views on major issues of common interest.
2.2.3 The two sides resolved to strengthen and give full play to existing mechanisms between China and Africa, such as bilateral commissions, foreign ministries' political consultation, mixed commissions on economic and trade cooperation, and joint commissions on science and technology, expand their cooperation in the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and other international and regional organizations, and actively explore ways of pragmatic cooperation with third parties on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and win-win result.
2.3 Contacts between Legislatures and Local Governments
2.3.1 To promote mutual respect, deepen understanding and enhance cooperation, the two sides will strengthen friendly contacts in various forms between the National People's Congress of China and parliaments of African countries as well as the Pan-African Parliament.
2.3.2 The two sides will support the establishment of sister-province/state and sister-city relations between the two sides and promote exchanges and cooperation in local development and administration.
2.4 Consular and Judicial Cooperation
2.4.1 To meet the need of growing economic and trade relations and personnel exchanges between China and Africa, the two sides will strengthen consular cooperation and take effective measures to facilitate mutual visits and protect personal and property safety and lawful rights and interests of their citizens.
2.4.2 The two sides will promote exchanges and consultation between judiciaries, police and other law enforcement authorities, improve their capability to jointly prevent, investigate and combat crimes, enhance cooperation in legal assistance, extradition and repatriation of criminal suspects and management of emigrants, and work to resolve the issue of illegal migration through consultation.
2.5 Cooperation between China and the African Union as well as Sub-regional Organizations in Africa
2.5.1 The two sides applauded the positive role played and accomplishments made by the African Union (AU) and African sub-regional organizations and financial institutions in building up Africa's strength through unity, maintaining regional peace and advancing regional cooperation and economic development.
2.5.2 The Chinese Government will continue to strengthen its cooperation with the AU and sub-regional organizations and institutions in Africa, support the AU's leading role in resolving African issues, and take an active part in UN peace-keeping operations in Africa.
2.5.3 To support African countries in their efforts to strengthen themselves through unity and speed up integration, the Chinese side will help the AU to build a convention center in Addis Ababa.
2.5.4 The two sides commended cooperation between FOCAC and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and resolved to strengthen such cooperation and further explore specific ways and areas of cooperation.
III. Economic Cooperation
3.1 Agriculture
3.1.1 The two sides stressed the importance of agriculture in their respective economies and that enhanced agricultural cooperation will play a positive role in eliminating poverty, promoting development and ensuring food security for both sides.
3.1.2 The two sides noted with pleasure the major progress made in China-Africa agricultural cooperation and resolved to intensify their exchanges and cooperation in farming, animal husbandry, irrigation, fishery, agricultural machinery, processing of agricultural produce, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, food safety and epidemic control, and actively explore new forms and ways of agricultural cooperation.
3.1.3 The Chinese side decided to:
--Send 100 senior experts on agricultural technologies to Africa and set up in Africa 10 demonstration centers of agricultural technology with special features;
--Give encouragement and support to Chinese enterprises in expanding their investment in agriculture in Africa and getting more involved in agricultural infrastructure development, production of agricultural machinery and processing of agricultural produce in Africa;
--Step up cooperation with Africa in extending applicable technologies and human resources training in agriculture;
--Strengthen cooperation with African countries within the framework of the Special Program for Food Security of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
3.2 Investment and Business Cooperation
3.2.1 The two sides noted with satisfaction the steady increase of mutual investment in a growing number of areas since the Second Ministerial Conference of FOCAC in 2003 and concluded that this will enhance bilateral economic ties and contribute to local economic development. They pledged to give continued encouragement and support for mutual investment, explore new areas and forms of expanded cooperation in investment and take concrete steps to ensure the sound growth of investment.
3.2.2 The two sides decided to facilitate the negotiation, conclusion and implementation of the Agreement on Bilateral Facilitation and Protection of Investment and the Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation to create an enabling environment for investment cooperation and protect the lawful rights and interests of investors from both sides. They pledged facilitation necessary in terms of administrative approval procedures, customs clearance and border entry and exit for company investors of the two sides.
3.2.3 The two sides noted with satisfaction the successful convocation of the High-Level Dialogue between Chinese and African Leaders and Business Representatives and the Second Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs during the Beijing Summit, expressed congratulations on the establishment of the China-Africa Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry and pledged their support to the Chamber. They hoped that the Chamber will become an effective platform of communication for promoting result-oriented economic, trade and investment cooperation between China and Africa.
3.2.4 The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation among their small- and medium-sized enterprises to promote Africa's industrial development and enhance Africa's production and export capacity.
3.2.5 The Chinese Government, placing importance on facilitating investment expansion in Africa, decided to support related Chinese banks in setting up a China-Africa Development Fund whose total amount will gradually reach US$5 billion to give encouragement and support to well-established and reputable Chinese companies in making investment in projects in Africa which will contribute to local technological progress, employment opportunities and sustainable socio-economic development.
3.2.6 China is ready to encourage, in the next three years, well-established Chinese companies to set up three to five overseas economic and trade cooperation zones in African countries where conditions permit.
3.3 Trade
Noting with pleasure the fast growth in two-way trade since the Second Ministerial Conference of the Forum and convinced that further expansion of trade serves the mutual interests of China and Africa, the two sides decided to:
--Continue to work to create favorable conditions to grow China-Africa trade in a more balanced manner. China pledged to further open up its market to Africa, increase from 190 to over 440 the number of export items to China eligible for zero-tariff treatment from the least developed countries in Africa having diplomatic relations with China and launch bilateral negotiations with countries concerned for the early conclusion and implementation of related agreements;
--Strengthen cooperation in customs, taxation, inspection and quarantine to facilitate healthy and orderly growth of China-Africa trade;
--Properly address, in a spirit of mutual understanding and accommodation, trade disputes and frictions through bilateral or multilateral friendly consultations;
--Gradually improve the mechanism of the China-Africa Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry and give full play to its role in communication, coordination and trade facilitation.
3.4 Finance
3.4.1 Noting with pleasure the fruitful cooperation between the relevant Chinese financial institutions and the African financial institutions such as the African Development Bank, the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank and the West African Development Bank, the two sides decided to push continuously for relevant cooperation and support business exchanges between commercial banks from both sides to enhance China-Africa economic cooperation.
3.4.2 China will encourage its financial institutions to set up more branches in Africa, and the African side agreed to provide necessary assistance in this regard. The African side wished China success in hosting the 2007 annual meeting of the African Development Bank.
3.5 Infrastructure
3.5.1 Bearing in mind the crucial role of infrastructure in Africa's development and the great potential for cooperation between the two sides with China's technology and development expertise applicable to Africa, the two sides agreed to keep infrastructure building, particularly transportation, telecommunications, water conservancy and power generation facilities, as a key area of cooperation.
3.5.2 The Chinese Government will give continued encouragement and support to Chinese companies in participating in Africa's infrastructure development while focusing on technical and managerial cooperation with African countries to help improve their capacity for self-development.
3.5.3 The African side pledged to further open the infrastructure sector. It welcomes Chinese enterprises' participation in infrastructure development in Africa and will provide them with necessary support and facilitation in this regard.
3.6 Cooperation in Energy and Resources
3.6.1 Noting that China and Africa are highly complementary in energy and resources sectors and that better information sharing and pragmatic cooperation in these sectors serves the long-term interests of both sides, the two sides resolved to give encouragement and support to their enterprises in conducting, under the principle of reciprocity, mutual benefit and common development, joint exploration and rational exploitation of energy and other resources through diversified forms of cooperation.
3.6.2 In the course of cooperation, China gives high priority to helping African countries turn their advantages in energy and resources into development strengths, protecting the local environment and promoting sustainable social and economic development in the local areas.
3.7 Cooperation in Science and Technology, Information, Air and Maritime Transport and Quality Inspection
3.7.1 The two sides agreed to promote cooperation in the development, application and transfer of technologies in accordance with the principle of mutual respect, mutual learning and mutual benefit. China will continue to provide training courses of practical technologies and carry out demonstration projects of technical assistance for extending China's scientific and technological achievements and applicable technologies in Africa.
3.7.2 The two sides agreed to step up scientific and technological cooperation in areas of common interest including agricultural bio-technology, solar energy utilization, geological survey, mining and development of new medicine.
3.7.3 The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in information infrastructure building, IT application, general telecommunications services, cyber and information security, and telecommunications human resources development. China supports the African countries in their efforts to narrow the digital divide and accelerate the building of an information society based on the proposals of the World Summit on the Information Society held in Tunisia.
3.7.4 The two sides agreed to encourage their aviation and shipping companies to establish more direct air and shipping links between China and Africa.
3.7.5 The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in certification and accreditation, technology standards, measurement, consumer goods safety, quality inspection of industrial products, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, frontier health and quarantine, safety supervision on special equipment and other related areas.
IV. Cooperation in International Affairs
4.1 The two sides recognized that in the current international environment which is undergoing complex and profound changes, to strengthen consultation and cooperation between the two sides in international affairs serves the common interests of both sides and other developing countries.
4.2 The two sides reaffirmed their respect for the Charter of the United Nations, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the principles in the Constitutive Act of the African Union and other universally recognized norms governing international relations. They pledged to work together to uphold the important role of the United Nations in international affairs and promote multilateralism and democracy in international relations. They supported increasing the authority and efficiency of the United Nations through reform, pointing out that such reform should be based on democratic negotiations and conducive to maintaining unity among UN member states and that full consideration should be given to the concerns of developing countries in carrying out such reform. In reforming the UN Security Council, priority should be given to increasing the representation of developing countries, African countries in particular, and consensus should be reached through full and in-depth consultation.
4.3 The two sides welcomed the establishment of the Human Rights Council by the United Nations and resolved to enhance cooperation in the Council and make concerted efforts to ensure that the Council respects historical, cultural and religious background of all countries and regions and is committed to advancing dialogue among different civilizations, cultures and religions. The Council should place equal emphasis on both civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights, with priority given to the right to development. It should handle human rights issues properly and work to eliminate double standard and the practice of politicizing human rights issues.
4.4 The two sides pledged to step up coordination and cooperation in working for the early resumption of the Doha Round of negotiations and a balanced and significant package of outcomes that will boost global economic development. They called for full consideration to be given to the development level and capacity of developing members. The special and differential treatment promised to developing members should be delivered to enable them to fully participate in the multilateral trade regime and truly benefit from it. China supported efforts by those African countries that are not yet WTO members to join the Organization.
4.5 Recognizing the difficulties and challenges Africa faces in achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the two sides called on the international community to work actively to build an international environment conducive to poverty alleviation and common development, effectively implement the agreement reached at the Global Summit marking the 60th anniversary of the United Nations, and further strengthen the role of the United Nations in promoting development. The two sides will promote the establishment of a fair, proper and effective progress evaluation framework of the UN MDGs to oversee and facilitate the delivery of commitments on international cooperation and development. The two sides also called on the World Solidarity Fund for Struggle against Poverty to pay greater attention to the development of Africa and hoped that the international community pay adequate attention to the sustainable development of small island and landlocked countries in Africa.
4.6 The two sides agreed to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation. They condemn and oppose terrorism in whatever form, and are opposed to double standard. They support the United Nations and UN Security Council in playing a leading role in the international campaign against terrorism and in helping African countries improve their counter-terrorism capability. China noted with pleasure the entry into force of the AU Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism and the establishment of the African Center for the Study and Research on Terrorism, and will explore ways of counter-terrorism cooperation with African countries.
4.7 The two sides called for increased international cooperation in promoting nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. China supports Africa's efforts in realizing the objective of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Africa on a voluntary basis. China pledged to continue to support and take part in the humanitarian de-mining operations in Africa and the effort to combat illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. It will provide financial and material assistance and related training for African countries within its capacity.
4.8 Recognizing the new challenge to global peace and security posed by non-traditional security issues such as natural disasters, refugees and displaced persons, illegal migration, transnational crimes, drug smuggling and communicable diseases, the two sides, guided by a new security concept with mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination at its core, agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the non-traditional security field.
4.9 The two sides vigorously pushed the international community to focus its attention on regional conflicts in Africa and take effective steps to help defuse these conflicts. The two sides will work to safeguard the fundamental interests of Africa in the UN Security Council. China will enhance cooperation with Africa in the prevention, management and resolution of regional conflicts.
V. Cooperation in Social Development
5.1 Development Assistance and Debt Relief
5.1.1 The African side recognized that China has provided development assistance to African countries over many years and that it has reduced and canceled part of the government debt owed to China by heavily indebted poor countries (HIPCs) and least developed countries (LDCs) in Africa that has become mature. It reaffirmed that such genuine and selfless assistance has promoted the sustainable economic and social development in Africa.
5.1.2 The Chinese Government decided to:
--Continue to provide development assistance to African countries to the best of its ability and by 2009 double the size of its assistance to African countries in 2006;
--Provide US$3 billion of preferential loans and US$2 billion preferential export buyer's credit to African countries in the next three years on more favorable terms, more so for HIPCs and LDCs in Africa;
--Cancel government interest free loans that had become due by the end of 2005 contracted by HIPCs and LDCs in Africa with diplomatic ties with China and take an active part in debt relief operations for Africa within the international multilateral framework;
--Actively participate in bilateral and multilateral assistance plans for African countries in post-war reconstruction, humanitarian rescue and relief and poverty reduction.
5.2 Human Resources Development
5.2.1 The two sides noted with satisfaction that through concerted efforts, the 2004-2006 China-Africa Inter-governmental Human Resources Development Plan adopted at the Second FOCAC Ministerial Conference has been successfully implemented. China has trained over 10,000 African professionals in various fields under the African Human Resources Development Fund (AHRDF).
5.2.2 The Chinese Government will continue to provide specific training of professionals and management personnel for African countries in response to their needs and will improve the follow-up monitoring mechanism to ensure the effectiveness of training. It pledged to increase input, based on AHRDF, to train 15,000 professionals for African countries in the next three years. The African side undertook to provide necessary support and assistance in terms of selecting trainees and providing logistical services.
5.3 Culture
5.3.1 The two sides expressed satisfaction with the progress made in their cultural exchanges and cooperation. Both China and Africa have a splendid history and culture. To strengthen exchanges between the Chinese and African civilizations and enhance bilateral cultural interactions will enrich the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership and will also set an example for dialogue and exchanges among different civilizations and thus advance the building of a harmonious world.
5.3.2 The two sides resolved to actively implement the bilateral government exchange programs and support and promote cultural exchanges as well as art exhibitions and performances at the local level and between the peoples. The African side expressed appreciation of China's decision to set up the African Cultural Visitors Program to enhance cultural exchanges between the two sides.
5.4 Education
5.4.1 Recognizing the importance of education as the foundation and key for achieving sustainable social and economic development, the two sides decided to expand China-Africa cooperation in education on the basis of existing sound cooperation.
5.4.2 Taking note of the success of the China-Africa Forum of Ministers of Education last November, the two sides expressed the view that holding this Forum on a regular basis will help promote their cooperation and dialogue in education.
5.4.3 The two sides resolved to encourage more exchanges and closer cooperation between institutions of higher learning of the two sides, take steps to ensure the effectiveness of the bilateral student exchange programs, and carry out consultation on concluding agreements on mutual accreditation of academic degrees.
5.4.4 The Chinese Government decided to:
--Help African countries set up 100 rural schools in the next three years;
--Increase the number of Chinese government scholarships to African students from the current 2,000 per year to 4,000 per year by 2009;
--Provide annual training for a number of educational officials as well as heads and leading teachers of universities, primary, secondary and vocational schools in Africa;
--Establish Confucius Institutes in African countries to meet their needs in the teaching of the Chinese language and encourage the teaching of African languages in relevant Chinese universities and colleges.
5.5 Medical Care and Public Health
5.5.1 The two sides expressed satisfaction at the progress in their cooperation in public health since the Second Ministerial Conference of FOCAC. The African countries concerned are particularly appreciative of the dedicated assistance provided by Chinese medical teams and pledged to provide proper working and living conditions for them.
5.5.2 The African side noted with pleasure that the Chinese Government has adopted effective measures to provide timely assistance to African countries in the prevention and treatment of malaria, HIV/AIDS and avian influenza. The two sides resolved to increase exchanges and cooperation in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, Ebola, Chikungunya, avian influenza and other communicable diseases and in the fields of quarantine and public health emergency response mechanism.
5.5.3 The Chinese Government decided to:
--Assist African countries in building 30 hospitals and provide RMB300 million of grant for providing anti-malaria drugs to African countries and building 30 demonstration centers for prevention and treatment of malaria in the next three years;
--Continue to send and send new and additional medical teams to Africa in the next three years on the basis of China's own capacity and the need of African countries and actively explore with African countries new ways of providing such service;
--Continue to provide medicines and medical supplies needed by African countries and help them establish and improve medical facilities and train medical workers.
5.6 Environmental Protection
5.6.1 The two sides fully recognized the importance of environmental protection for achieving sustainable development and were glad to note the success of the Conference on China-Africa Cooperation in Environmental Protection in February 2005 and the substantive progress made in their cooperation in environmental protection. The African side expressed appreciation of the fund provided by the Chinese Government for the establishment of the UNEP China-Africa Environment Center.
5.6.2 The two sides resolved to promote dialogue and exchanges in environmental protection and cooperation in human resources development. In the next three years, China will increase year after year the number of environmental protection administrators and experts from Africa to receive training in China. The two sides will work with the UNEP for multilateral cooperation in environmental protection.
5.6.3 The two sides agreed to step up cooperation in capacity building, prevention and control of water pollution and desertification, maintenance of bio-diversity and the development of environmental protection industry and demonstration projects.
5.7 Tourism
5.7.1 The two sides were pleased to note the substantive progress made in bilateral tourism cooperation. They are convinced that such cooperation will help promote understanding and friendship between their peoples.
5.7.2 The two sides noted that following the Second Ministerial Conference of FOCAC in 2003, Uganda, Madagascar, Botswana, the Kingdom of Lesotho, Namibia and Ghana acquired the Approved Destination Status (ADS) for Chinese tourists. With the new decision of the Chinese Government to extend ADS to nine African countries including Algeria, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Gabon, Rwanda, Mali, Mozambique, Benin and Nigeria, there are now 26 ADS countries in Africa. The Chinese Government will extend ADS to more qualified African countries at their request. The African side welcomes more visits by Chinese tourists and encourages more African tourists to travel to China.
5.8 News Media
5.8.1 Recognizing that increased contacts between their respective news media contribute to comprehensive and objective news coverage of the other side, the two sides encouraged their respective news media to play a positive role in enhancing mutual understanding and friendship.
5.8.2 The two sides support multi-level exchanges and cooperation in various forms between their press authorities and media and exchange more visits between media groups.
5.8.3 The two sides support and encourage more report and coverage by their news media of the other side and will provide mutual assistance and facilitation to each other's news agencies in sending resident and non-resident correspondents for news reporting.
5.8.4 The Chinese side will continue to host workshops for African correspondents and invite heads of press authorities and media groups as well as correspondents from Africa to China to exchange views, cover news and explore ways of conducting effective cooperation.
5.8.5 The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in radio and television broadcasting. China will focus on helping African countries train radio and television staff.
5.9 People-to-People, Youth and Women Exchanges
5.9.1 Recognizing the important role of people-to-people exchanges in increasing understanding and friendship between Chinese and African peoples, the two sides decided to increase people-to-people contacts and consolidate traditional friendship to ensure that the China-Africa friendship will be passed on from generation to generation.
5.9.2 The two sides expressed satisfaction at bilateral youth exchanges and recognized the positive role of the China-Africa Youth Festival in enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese and African young people. To boost cooperation in the development of Chinese and African youth, the two sides agreed to, in the next three years, develop and improve the communications network and the mechanism of collective dialogue between the youth in China and Africa and continue to hold China-Africa Youth Festivals.
5.9.3 China decided to gradually expand the "Chinese Young Volunteers Serving Africa" program. In the next three years, China will dispatch 300 young volunteers to African countries to work in medical, health, sports, agriculture, education and other fields.
5.9.4 Recognizing the importance of promoting gender equality and women's empowerment and noting with satisfaction the existing extensive exchanges between Chinese and African women, the two sides decided to continue to promote such exchanges and cooperation through various forms.
5.9.5 China attaches importance to and will expand sports exchanges and cooperation with African countries. The African countries support China in hosting the 2008 Olympic Games. They will take an active part in this sports event and wish the 2008 Olympic Games a great success.