Foreword
     
 

Currently, as the international situation undergoes profound and intricate changes, newly emerging and developing economies have become the major force pushing forward the world's economic development. In tune with the changes in the international environment, China and African countries are, within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), continuing to deepen the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership, vigorously advancing economic and trade cooperation, and actively exploring a common path that reflects both China's and Africa's realities.

China has become Africa's largest trade partner, and Africa is now China's major import source, second largest overseas construction project contract market and fourth largest investment destination. China-Africa economic and trade development has improved people's livelihoods and diversified economic development in African countries, provided strong support for China's socio-economic development, and contributed to promoting South-South cooperation and balanced world economic development.

Through the common efforts of China and Africa, bilateral economic and trade cooperation now enjoys a consolidated foundation and improved mechanisms, with new common interests and growth points in cooperation constantly emerging. In March 2013, China's President Xi Jinping visited Africa and announced a series of new measures to support Africa's development, providing a powerful impetus for the advancement of China-Africa economic and trade relations.

In 2010, the Chinese government published a white paper on China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. This latest white paper provides a further introduction to the progress of bilateral economic and trade cooperation in recent years.