On the afternoon of March 7, the Fourth Session of the 13th National People's Congress held a press conference in the Press Conference Hall of the Great Hall of the People. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi was invited to answer questions from Chinese and foreign journalists on "China's foreign policy and foreign relations".

  A reporter from the Egyptian Middle East News Agency: It has been more than a year since the outbreak of the new crown pneumonia, but African countries are still facing greater difficulties in responding to the epidemic, especially in obtaining vaccines and repaying debts.

Last year was the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. This year the two sides will hold a new forum meeting in Senegal.

In this context, how will China help alleviate the difficulties faced by African countries?

What are China's ideas on deepening China-Africa cooperation?

  Wang Yi: I am very willing to answer the questions of the African brothers.

The profound friendship between China and Africa was formed in the arduous struggle for national independence and national liberation. The two sides are both comrades-in-arms and brothers.

This sentiment is as solid as a rock and will grow stronger over time. China and Africa will always be good friends and good partners sharing a common destiny.

Indeed, as you said, last year was the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

In the past 20 years, our two sides have successively formulated and implemented the "Ten Major Cooperation Plans" and "Eight Major Actions". The bilateral trade volume has increased by 20 times, China's direct investment in Africa has increased by 100 times, and the total number of sister cities has reached 150.

China-Africa cooperation has become a model for South-South cooperation and a model for international cooperation with Africa.

  Wang Yi: At present, helping African countries fight the epidemic and recover their economies is the top priority of China-Africa cooperation.

Last year, President Xi Jinping advocated hosting the China-Africa Unity Anti-epidemic Special Summit and announced a series of new assistance measures.

So far, we have provided nearly 120 batches of emergency anti-epidemic supplies to Africa, dispatched anti-epidemic medical expert teams to 15 countries, and have provided vaccines to 35 African countries and the African Union Commission. China’s aided disease control in Africa The central headquarters building project has officially started, and the cooperation mechanism of 30 Chinese and African counterpart hospitals is being promoted.

This year, we will hold a new forum in Senegal. We are willing to use this as an opportunity to support Africa in thoroughly defeating the epidemic and strengthen its public health governance system; support Africa in accelerating its industrialization construction and improving its capacity for independent development; The trend of the era of economic globalization; support the political settlement of hot issues in Africa and maintain peace and stability on the African continent.

The high-quality joint construction of the “Belt and Road” initiative between China and Africa and a closer community with a shared future will surely provide a steady stream of impetus for the development and revitalization of Africa.

  (Organized according to the web text live broadcast)