Photo taken on Aug. 8, 2018 shows the launching ceremony of an official website (focacsummit.mfa.gov.cn) of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit 2018, in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua photo)

In an effort to create an official platform for news releases concerning the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which is scheduled to take place in September, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the People’s Republic of China has officially launched a website.

The website, which was officially launched on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, is also going to provide frequent updates about the FOCAC summit.

The last FOCAC summit was held in 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa. During the summit, China pledged $60 billion of funding support to carry out 10 major plans to boost its cooperation with Africa.

During his speech, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chen Xiaodong, said in about 20 days the long-awaited 2018 Beijing Summit will commence, adding that Chinese and African leaders will meet in Beijing to chart a course for China-Africa friendship and cooperation in the new era.

“We will endeavor to build an even stronger community with a shared future for mankind,” the Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs said.

China’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chen Xiaodong, addresses journalists

He revealed that for many months, African ambassadors and diplomats have worked in close partnership with their Chinese colleagues to prepare for the summit, noting that they have contributed valuable ideas and suggestions.

“The 2018 Beijing FOCAC summit’s website has versions in English, Chinese and French. It has six online sections including headlines, the summit, side events, opinion, services and videos. You are welcome to log in and see what’s in it,” he said.

He stressed that FOCAC summit preparations are well underway and that after the launch of the website, the Secretariat of the Chinese Follow-up Committee will have further consultations with African envoys on the final stages of preparations.

“Let’s work closely together to make this year’s summit a successful and historic gathering for China-Africa solidarity and cooperation,” he concluded.

The Head of the Diplomatic Corps in China, Ambassador Victor Sikonina from Madagascar, said the launching ceremony came at a time when the Chinese President Xi Jinping had just concluded a visit to four African nations, which included Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa and Mauritius.

“The official website reflects the will of the people and the trend of globalization. The African diplomatic corps appreciates this website. I strongly believe that this year’s summit will build on the achievements of the last Johannesburg summit in 2015,” he said.

The website is www.focac.org or focacsummit.mfa.gov.cn.