The top leaders of South Sudan, Eritrea, Nigeria, Comoros and Central African Republic arrived in Beijing on Sunday.

Preparations continued here this week for the ninth China-Africa Cooperation Forum under the theme “Working together to promote modernization and build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.”

Focac was established in 2000 as a platform to strengthen relations between the two sides and since its inception was a venue for major announcements by Beijing regarding funding for projects in Africa.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the two sides will gather the “strength of the Global South” in solidarity and stand together for international justice and equity.

The spokesman noted that the two regions “are the backbone of safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, upholding the purposes of the UN Charter, multilateralism and international equity and justice.” Lin Jian said that maintaining global peace and security, promoting development and prosperity are the common proposals of the two sides.

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