Cooperation with Africa always China's diplomatic priority: Wang Yi

01:09

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted cooperation with African countries while attending a celebration event in Beijing as Tuesday marks the 58th Africa Day.

Africa Day, formerly known as the African Freedom Day, commemorates the founding of the Organization of African Unity in 1963.

Addressing diplomats from African countries, Wang said this is a festival that China and Africa should jointly celebrate.

"Strengthening cooperation with African countries will always be China's diplomatic priority," Wang said, adding that both sides support each other on issues of core interests, from the fights for national independence to upholding national dignity.

"China wants to push bilateral cooperation to one of higher quality, such as in areas of climate change, digital economy, and human resources," he said.

China is looking forward to the China-Africa cooperation forum at the end of the year, he noted.

The Chinese foreign minister also expressed gratitude for Africa's support in China's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

China and Africa have maintained dynamic economic and trade cooperation. Official data showed that China had been Africa's largest trading partner for more than a decade. Over the past three years, China's agricultural imports from Africa have grown at an average annual rate of 14 percent, making China the second-largest agricultural importer in Africa.

In 2020, China's direct investments were almost $3 billion in Africa, covering 47 African countries. Meanwhile, the number of newly signed contracts in Africa increased by 21.4 percent year-on-year, reaching $68 billion.