On January 29, 2008, special envoy of the Chinese government & Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun, who is in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa for the 10th African Union (AU) Summit, met with African Union Commission Chairman Alpha Oumar Konare at the AU headquarters.

Zhai conveyed the greetings from President Hu Jintao and other Chinese leaders as well as Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi to Konare and made positive comments on AU's important role in safeguarding Africa's peace and security and in pushing forward the continent's unity and self-improvement and integration process. He said the Chinese government will continue to support AU's development and support the organization to play a greater role in regional and international affairs in a bid to deepen China-Africa traditional friendship, advance the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership and bring more benefits to both the Chinese and African people.

Konare spoke highly of China's friendly cooperation with AU and African countries. He hailed the vigorous development of China-Africa relations and deepening cooperation in all areas since the successful convening of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. AU has always attached importance to cooperation with China and will continue to adhere to the one-China policy and support China's reunification, he said, adding that AU is ready to join hands with China to play a greater role in China-Africa cooperation and push for long-term, stable and in-depth development of China's relations with AU and African countries.

During the meeting, both sides also exchanged views on the situation in Africa and other issues of mutual concern.