On the morning of July 3, Vice Chinese Foreign Minister Qiao Zonghuai who was attending the African Union (AU) Executive Council Session and Summit in Sirte, Libya met with Alpha Oumar Konare, Chairperson of the AU Commission.

Qiao conveyed the greetings of Premier Wen Jiabao, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing to Konare and handed the congratulation letter of Premier Wen on the AU Summit. Qiao made positive comments on the development achievements of the AU, noting that the Chinese government attaches importance to developing the friendly cooperation with the organization and agrees to establish the China-Africa strategic partnership. He announced that the Chinese government will provide another US$300,000 of assistance to the AU.

Konare sang high praise that China and Africa are all-weather friends and expressed sincere thanks for China's help to the AU in various fields. He said that the African countries increasingly recognize the AU represents the future of Africa and continuously push for progresses in AU's development despite multiple difficulties. He is confident that their Chinese friends will always stand side by side with the organization.