Chinese President Hu Jintao on Sunday called on the international community to pay more attention to Africa's stability and development, and to further help African countries.

 

In a speech at the leader's meeting of the six developing countries -- India, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, the Republic of Congo and China, the Chinese leader said that Africa, home to the largest number of developing countries, is an important force for world peace and development.

 

"Without stability in Africa, there will be no world peace. Without development in Africa, there will be no world prosperity," Hu said, adding that "the international community should pay more attention to African stability and development."

 

"As members of the developing world, all of us should and can, in one way or another, assist African countries" in implementing the New Partnership for Africa's Development and realizing the Millennium Development Goals, Hu said.

 

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and African countries, Hu said.

 

The two sides have supported each other, established deep friendship and achieved fruitful results in cooperation over the past five decades, Hu said.

 

"I put forward five measures at the UN 60th Anniversary Summit last year in support of faster development within the developing world. The measures are mainly designed for Africa and are being implemented as we speak," he added.

 

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the third ministerial conference between China and African countries will be held in Beijing in November. China will continue to work with African countries to make it a gathering that highlights solidarity and practical cooperation, the Chinese president said.

 

Hu arrived in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Sunday, for Monday's outreach session of the Group of Eight summit along with leaders of other developing countries. He is also scheduled to have a trilateral meeting with Russian and Indian leaders and hold a series of bilateral meetings with some leaders attending the summit.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 17, 2006)