President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou-Nguesso gives a speech at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Nov. 4, 2006. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

President Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo said in Beijing Saturday that the two documents to be signed at the Beijing Summit will have significant impact on the development of China-Africa cooperation.

Sassou said the two documents -- the Beijing declaration and an action plan for the year 2007 to 2009 -- cover various aspects of China-Africa relations and will upgrade their cooperation to a new level in the coming three years.

The documents had already been discussed and passed at Friday's Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). They are expected to be signed by Chinese President Hu Jintao and 41 heads of state or government and senior officials of48 African countries at the two-day Beijing Summit.

"We are glad to learn from the documents that China will continue to offer assistance to Africa, especially in the fields of implementing the New Partnership for Africa's Development, meeting the Millennium Development Goals and restarting the WTO Doha Round of talks," Sassou said while addressing the opening ceremony of the Summit.

The president also expressed Africa's appreciation to China for its announcement of eight new actions, including doubling 2006 assistance to Africa by 2009, 3 billion U.S. dollars of preferential loans in next three years and the exemption of more debt owed by poor African countries.

Sassou said China announced in 2000 that it would cancel the debts of over 10 billion yuan (1.3 billion U.S. dollars) incurred by 31 Heavily Indebted Poor Countries and least developed countries in Africa.

"The Chinese government, has, as always, fulfilled its commitment and the African people have benefited a lot from China's generosity," said Sassou, whose country chairs the AU for the 2006 session.

The president said Africa highly appreciates China's active participation in the peacekeeping efforts in Africa, especially in the countries which used to suffer or are currently facing domestic crises.

Sassou also said that he hoped China would help Africa to tackle the problems of severe desertification and drought. "Africa hopes to share China's experience and technology in this field."

Chinese President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister of Ethiopia that co-chairs the forum also addressed the opening ceremony.

State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan presided over the 50-minute opening ceremony.

The two-day summit has been widely acclaimed as the most important and largest diplomatic event between China and Africa since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.