China, Africa reach consensus on poverty reduction co-op

China and Africa reached important consensus on strengthening cooperation on poverty reduction in Addis Ababa on Monday.

According to a joint declaration issued during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to the African Union (AU) headquarters in the Ethiopian capital, China and Africa are committed to strengthening their efforts in poverty reduction and standing together to face challenges brought by poverty. [Special coverage]

Noting that the task of poverty reduction is still formidable for both China and Africa, the document said it is in the common interests of both sides to conduct cooperation on the existing solid foundation.

China and Africa agreed that global development partnership should be enhanced and joint efforts be made to make poverty reduction a priority task in international development cooperation, the document said.

It called on developed countries to earnestly honor their Official Development Assistance commitments, increase the development assistance in real terms and scale up their support for developing countries, especially African and the least developed ones.

China and Africa agreed that efforts should be made to improve the global economic governance by increasing the representation and voice of developing countries in this system and to establish a more just and equitable international economic and financial system, so as to create a favorable international environment for poverty reduction.

Both sides agreed to continue to use the China-Africa Poverty Reduction and Development Conference as a platform to discuss strategies and policies of poverty reduction, exchange experience and learn from each other.

Efforts should be made to give full play to the comparative advantages of both sides to enhance industrial cooperation, promote the development of labor-intensive industries in Africa and create more job opportunities.

China will encourage Chinese enterprises to participate in the construction and development of business cooperation zones in Africa, while the continent is willing to create a more favorable investment environment for this.

China and Africa agreed to continue to make infrastructure development a priority area in their cooperation and enhance collaboration in areas such as transportation, communications, water conservancy, electricity and energy.

China will continue to provide assistance for Africa's vocational training facilities, train professionals and technical personnel for African countries and, in particular, help African youth and women enhance job skills.

Stressing the importance of agriculture in realizing poverty reduction targets, China and Africa pledged to strengthen cooperation in agricultural technology, education and training, demonstration and promotion of high-yield seeds and make greater use of the existing agricultural technology demonstration centers.

The two sides are ready to enhance exchanges and cooperation with all other countries in the field of poverty reduction. Any third party is welcome to take part in China-Africa poverty reduction on the basis of equal consultation and jointly promote the attainment of the great goal of poverty eradication.

China will assist in strengthening technical and vocational education and training throughout the African continent, taking account advances in science, technology and innovation based on the development of the entrepreneurial spirit of the youth.