In accordance with the mechanism of regular political dialogue between Chinese and African Foreign Ministers set up at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2006, the Foreign Ministers of China and 48 African countries, or their representatives, and the representative of the African Union (AU) Commission held their Fourth Round of Political Consultations in New York on 20 September 2017.

The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Wang Yi and Ms. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Foreign Ministers respectively of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa, the current Co-Chair countries of FOCAC.

Focusing on the theme of "Promote implementation of FOCAC Johannesburg Summit outcomes, support Africa in pursuing Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development", the Chinese and African sides had an in-depth exchange of views on China-Africa relations, and practical cooperation in various areas and international and regional issues of common interest. Both sides reached consensus as follows:

1. The two sides highly commend the great success of the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit held in South Africa in December 2015, which opened a new era of China-Africa win-win cooperation for common development. The two sides are determined to work together to advance the China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership featuring political equality and mutual trust, economic win-win cooperation, mutually enriching cultural exchanges, mutual assistance in security, and solidarity and coordination in international affairs.

2. The two sides commend the China-Africa ten cooperation plans put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Johannesburg Summit. The two sides are satisfied with the progress achieved through shared efforts in implementing the outcomes of the Summit. The two sides appreciate the convening of the Coordinators' Meeting on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Johannesburg Summit of FOCAC held by China and Africa in Beijing in July 2016. The two sides pledge to further strengthen coordination and intensify efforts to implement the outcomes of the Johannesburg Summit for the well-being of the Chinese and African peoples. The two sides will conduct an in-depth review of the implementation progress and make future planning on the Seventh Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC in 2018.

3. The Chinese side reiterates its readiness to further strengthen China-Africa practical cooperation in various areas on the basis of upholding the principles of sincerity, practical results, affinity and good faith and the values of friendship, justice and shared interests, which the African side appreciates. The two sides reaffirm their readiness to uphold the cooperative concepts of common, intensive, green, safe and open development, synergize the development of China and Africa and work for win-win cooperation for common development.

4. The two sides maintain that Agenda 2063 is an important program for Africa to seek peace, stability, development and integration. The China-Africa ten cooperation plans and the priority areas of Agenda 2063 are highly compatible. Through comprehensively implementing the ten cooperation plans, the Chinese side supports African countries' efforts to achieve the goals set out by Agenda 2063 for political integration, infrastructure construction, traditional and renewable energy, sustainable socio-economic development, peace, security and other priority areas.

5. The two sides agree that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development charts the course for development of all countries and international development cooperation. Under the relevant implementation framework, the two sides will strengthen cooperation and join hands to build a world of lasting peace and common prosperity and a community of a shared future for humanity. The Chinese side calls on the international community to focus more on African development, especially on the development of least developed, small island and landlocked countries in Africa, provide more tangible assistance to help Africa implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and support Africa in achieving the sustainable development goals on schedule.

6. The African side congratulates China on successfully hosting the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and believes that the Belt and Road Initiative plays a positive role in making economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial for all, and that it provides a new platform for Africa to participate in international cooperation. The African side hopes to participate more extensively in the Belt and Road development, and synergize the priority projects of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa with the Belt and Road Initiative, which the Chinese side welcomes.

7. The two sides reiterate their continued commitment to upholding the spirit of extensive consultation, joint efforts and shared benefit, improving the FOCAC mechanism. Both sides will encourage FOCAC to continuously play a leading role in China-Africa cooperation and international cooperation with Africa.

8. The two sides are satisfied with the momentum of more frequent high-level exchanges, strengthened political dialogue and deepened strategic trust between China and Africa in recent years. The two sides reaffirm their readiness to render mutual understanding and support on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns.

9. The two sides emphasize their continued commitment to strengthening the mechanisms of economic and trade cooperation, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation on trade, investment and financing, and negotiating and implementing agreements on promotion and protection of investment. The African side welcomes and supports the efforts of Chinese enterprises and financial institutions to invest in Africa and promote transfer of technologies, capacity building and collaboration in research and development. Bearing in mind the new situation of transformation and upgrading of China-Africa cooperation, the two sides agree to actively explore multiple forms of cooperation, including PPP and BOT, to promote China-Africa cooperative development and the progress of industrialization and economic diversification in Africa. The Chinese side encourages African countries to make use of the favorable financing model as pledged at the Johannesburg Summit of FOCAC. The African side appreciates the positive progress made by China in developing industrial parks and special economic zones in several African countries.

10. The two sides believe that the improvement of Africa's agricultural value chain and agricultural processing are essential in the promotion of agricultural modernization in Africa. The two sides agree to strengthen agricultural cooperation, support implementation of the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme, help Africa promote agricultural industrialization and modernization and enhance its capacity for food security. The two sides will strengthen capacity building cooperation on African livestock development especially in the related areas such as feed, health and quarantine. The two sides express their concerns over the serious drought in parts of Africa caused by El Nino. The African side expresses appreciation to the Chinese side for its timely food assistance to affected African countries.