African countries will make good preparations for the first summit of Chinese and African leaders, said Eleih-Elle Etian, dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in China.

 

As a new framework for developing China-Africa relations, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is already five years old, Etian said at a recent reception marking the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of diplomatic relations between China and Africa.

 

On this occasion, Etian said, the Chinese side proposed an unprecedented summit of heads of Chinese and African countries when they meet for this year's session of the Forum.

 

"The Chinese initiative is well accepted by African countries," said Etian who is also Ambassador of Cameroon to China.

 

"Chinese Assistant Minister Lu Guozeng informed us that the first summit will be held in Beijing early November this year," the ambassador noted. "It will add new strength to our cooperation in the new millennium, a cooperation that is both exemplary and dynamic."

 

"We are privileged to become the craftsmen of this grand inter-continental meeting," he added.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 18, 2006)