State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan declared opening of the landmark Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) at 10:00 AM in Beijing on Saturday.

Prior to the opening ceremony, President Hu Jintao held a grand welcoming ceremony in honor of leaders of 48 African countries that have diplomatic ties with China, as well as some representatives of regional and international organizations. 

(Xinhua News Agency November 4, 2006)