On June 9, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan attended the reception held in the Nigerian embassy in China by the African Mission in China to mark the 42nd anniversary of "African Liberation Day" and delivered a speech.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Tang extended warm congratulations to the governments and people of all African countries. He said the Organization of African Unity (OAU) established in 1963 wrote a glorious chapter in the history of realizing African liberation, maintaining unity and reunification, seeking peace and stability and promoting African integration. The birth of the African Union 3 years ago carries on the tasks of the OAU and adds new strength to Africa's efforts to cope with new challenges and realize rejuvenation. He noted although China and Africa are geologically far away from each other, the Chinese people always hold deep feeling towards the continent and both sides have extended support, sympathy and help to each other during years of fierce fight and established profound friendship. China and Africa maintain frequent exchanges of high-level visit and the bilateral economic and trade cooperation develops rapidly. The China-Africa Cooperation Forum set up in 2000 has become an efficient mechanism for both sides to conduct collective dialogue and an important platform to carry out pragmatic cooperation. Under the new circumstances, the cooperation between China and Africa enjoys great potential and promising prospects. He reiterated China will always be a member of the developing world and a sincere friend of Africa. China stands ready to work with all African countries to push for greater progress of bilateral friendship on the basis of long-term stability, equality and mutual trust and comprehensive cooperation.

During their speech, Eleih-Elle Etian, Cameroon's ambassador to China as well as head of the African Mission in China and Jonathan Oluwole Coker, Nigerian ambassador to China, sang high praise for China-Africa friendship and made highly positive remarks on the achievements of bilateral cooperation under the framework of China-Africa Cooperation Forum.