The Ninth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held in Beijing on Tuesday, laying the groundwork for the opening of the FOCAC Beijing summit on Wednesday.
Foreign ministers and economic ministers from China and the 53 African member countries of the FOCAC, and representatives of the African Union and other regional and international organizations, were among more than 300 attendees at the meeting.
The conference was co-hosted by Chinese Foreign Minister, Minister of Commerce, head of China International Development Cooperation Agency, and the Foreign Minister of Senegal, co-chair of this year's FOCAC summit.
In the three years since the opening of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC, the two sides have jointly implemented deliverables including nine programs, accelerated the development of China-Africa relations, put China-Africa cooperation on a fast track, and brought the construction of the China-Africa community with a shared future to a new height, according to the Chinese side.
With the joint efforts from members of the forum, this year's summit will be another historic spectacular meeting that strengthens the solidarity and cooperation between China and Africa and set a new milestone in the joint pursuit of modernization of the Global South.
Africa stands ready to work closely with the Chinese side to hold a successful summit, push forward the alignment of the African Union's Agenda 2063 with the Belt and Road Initiative and a series of other global initiatives put forward by China, deepen all-round cooperation, and achieve common development and prosperity, according to the African side.
"Over the recent years, the FOCAC has been a unique example of the global South-South cooperation. It also represents the spirit of mutual respect and friendship of the two sides. It promotes our win-win cooperation," said Yacine Fall, Foreign Minister of Senegal.
The conference approved the summit agenda and draft outcome documents with preparations for the summit completed.
9th FOCAC Ministerial Conference held in Beijing
A festive atmosphere is building up as people across China have been making preparations to ring in the Spring Festival next week, with lights and decorations set everywhere, and with New Year goods markets all seeing booming sales.
The Spring Festival, which marks the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important annual holiday in China, when people across the country return to their hometowns for Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations and family reunion.
In Xi'an City of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, a grand lantern show is in its final stage of preparation before opening to the public ahead of the eve of the 2025 Chinese Lunar New Year. To be lit up on Wednesday, the large light sets presented at the event will draw numerous visitors, with lanterns that replicate 38 cultural relics as the highlight.
Buying New Year flowers has been a custom for Chinese people. In Yancheng City of east China's Jiangsu Province, various flowers which have auspicious meanings are already in high demand.
This year, tulips bred locally have been put on sale, and quickly become a favorable choice for many customers.
"I have never seen this kind of flower before. I think it is really bright-colored. Therefore, I decided to buy some to enhance the festive atmosphere at home," said Zhang Jinjian, a local resident.
The Anchang ancient town in Shaoxing City of east China's Zhejiang Province has a time-honored custom of making aired sausages and spiced duck.
As the Spring Festival draws near, plenty of visitors and tourists choose to purchase these local delicacies as ingredients for their Chinese New Year feast.
"The number of tourists has been increasing, so the sales of our spiced meat have been quite good. Compared with the same period of last year, our sales is expected to increase by about 50,000 yuan (about 6,835 U.S. dollars). We will earn an additional 200,000 to 300,000 yuan (27,335 to 41,000 U.S. dollars) in sales during this whole winter," said Yang Jing, owner of a local spiced meat shop.
In southwest China's Yunnan Province, the "Tiaocai dance" is a time-honored tradition of the Yi ethnic minority group. The dance is presented in the form of serving dishes while dancing to the rhythm. It usually happens on a joyous or grand occasion.
Since the most significant annual festival is around the corner, Yi people have dressed up in traditional costumes, and got ready to welcome the arrival of the Chinese Lunar New Year with the special dance.
People across China make preparations to welcome Spring Festival