China is committed to promoting Africa's regional economic integration by strengthening and integrating intra-Africa trade, promoting investment and facilitating the development of value chains, according to a joint statement released on Thursday after the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue. 

The African side commends China for introducing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative in support of strengthening multilateralism, and trusts that China and Africa's development will bring more opportunities for peace and development in the world, said the statement.

Both sides will continue to synergize China-Africa high quality Belt and Road cooperation with the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the national development strategies of the African countries, to elevate China-Africa cooperation to higher levels, it added.

Both sides reaffirm their commitment to further advancing the institution building of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, said the statement.

Both sides reaffirm their strong commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and their staunch support for each other in upholding territorial integrity, sovereignty, security and development interests, it said.

The Chinese side supports the African countries in exploring development paths compatible with their national conditions, and the African side reaffirms its firm commitment to the one-China policy, it added.

The joint statement noted the importance of the African Peace and Security Architecture, as a strong normative framework for addressing security challenges and threats on the continent. 

The Chinese side welcomes the constructive and creative initiative undertaken by the African leaders towards ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict, it said, adding that both sides call for increased dialogue and engagement to build trust and confidence, and the creation of an environment conducive for dialogue between the warring parties. 

(Cover: View of Johannesburg, South Africa. /CFP)