Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages on Friday with Chairperson of the African Union (AU) and Senegalese President Macky Sall on the 20th anniversary of the AU's founding and the establishment of China-AU diplomatic relations. 

Xi pointed out that in the past 20 years, the AU has led African countries in striding forward along a path of seeking strength through unity, development, revitalization and integration, and in demonstrating Africa's strength in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, upholding multilateralism and safeguarding the common interests of developing countries. 

Noting that China and Africa have always been good friends, good partners and good brothers sharing weal and woe, Xi said China-AU relations have stood the test of changing international circumstances, and bilateral cooperation has expanded in depth and width, playing an important leading role in carrying forward China-Africa traditional friendship and strengthening solidarity and cooperation in the new era.

Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-AU relations, stands ready to work with President Sall and other heads of state of the AU member countries to embark from the new starting point of the 20th anniversary of the China-AU diplomatic ties.

China is ready to carry forward the spirit of China-Africa friendly cooperation, fully implement the outcomes of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and firmly support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, he said.

China will continue to increase the representation and voice of developing countries in international affairs and make new contributions to the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, he added.

For his part, Sall said President Xi has sent a warm congratulatory message on the 20th anniversary of the founding of the AU, which fully demonstrated the close friendship between African and Chinese people. Sall expressed his sincere gratitude to Xi. 

He highly appreciated the traditional friendship, solidarity and cooperation between Africa and China, as well as the dynamic partnership under the framework of the FOCAC. 

Sall reiterated that Africa firmly supports the one-China principle, and also supports the African continent to work with friendly China to build the China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.