Address by Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong at The Opening Ceremony of the Seventh China-Africa Think Tank Forum

各位使节，各位同事，

女士们，先生们，朋友们： 

　　很高兴出席中非智库论坛第七届会议。我谨代表中国外交部对本届会议召开表示热烈祝贺，对各位与会嘉宾、特别是远道而来的非洲各国专家和学者表示诚挚欢迎。

　　本届中非智库论坛会议召开之际，正值中国改革开放40周年，又逢中非合作论坛北京峰会即将于9月举行。会议以“改革开放和中非关系”为主题，高度契合中非自主探索发展道路的现实需要，高度契合中非携手构建更加紧密命运共同体的真诚意愿。希望与会嘉宾畅所欲言、深入交流，为中非合作论坛北京峰会和中非关系发展集思广益。

Excellencies,

Colleagues,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Friends,

It is my great pleasure to join you in the seventh China-Africa Think Tank Forum. On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, let me begin by expressing warm congratulations on the opening of the forum and a most sincere welcome to all the participants, particularly those from Africa who have traveled long distances to be here.

This forum is held at an opportune time in this 40th anniversary year of China's reform and opening-up, a year that will also see Chinese and African leaders gather together for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) this coming September. The theme of this year's forum - China-Africa Relations over the Course of Reform and Opening-up - is highly relevant as China and Africa have a shared desire to explore development paths independently and to build a closer community for a shared future. I hope you will engage in free, open and in-depth discussions and contribute ideas on the FOCAC Beijing Summit and the development of China-Africa relations.

　　女士们，先生们，朋友们，

　　习近平主席在今年4月博鳌亚洲论坛2018年年会主旨演讲中指出，“改革开放40年来，中国人民始终敞开胸襟、拥抱世界，积极做出了中国贡献”。过去40年，正是中国与世界共同发展进步的40年，也是中国与非洲国家携手并肩前行的40年。

　　40年来，中非政治关系历久弥坚，战略互信坚实深厚。中非传统友谊源远流长，彼此心心相印、守望相助，一步一个脚印提升双方关系水平。2015年中非合作论坛约堡峰会正式确立中非全面战略合作伙伴关系，中国迄今已同24个非洲国家建有双边层面的全面战略伙伴或战略伙伴关系。在中非领导人的共同引领下，中非战略沟通协作持续加强，相互理解支持愈发坚定，治国理政经验交流不断深入，彰显中非全面战略合作伙伴关系的高水平。

Ladies and gentlemen,

Friends,

President Xi Jinping noted at the Boao Forum for Asia last April that "over the last four decades, the Chinese people have embraced the world with open arms and made active contributions to global affairs". Let me say that the last 40 years has not only seen China achieving common progress with the rest of the world, but also witnessed China and Africa forging ahead side by side, shoulder to shoulder.

Over the past four decades, the political relations between China and Africa have grown from strength to strength on the basis of strong strategic trust. Enjoying a long history of profound friendship, China and Africa have lent each other a helping hand whenever needed and worked steadily to elevate our relationship. At the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit in 2015, we announced a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership between China and Africa. To date, China has established strategic partnerships or comprehensive strategic partnerships with 24 African countries. Blessed by the guidance of our leaders, China-Africa partnership is operating at a high level, evidenced by closer strategic communication and coordination, stronger mutual understanding and support, and greater experience sharing on governance and development.