Development holds the key to solving all problems and China will support Africa in dealing with its "issues", Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday.

"China supports the settlement of African issues by Africans in the African way," he told the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (Focac) at the Sandton Convention Centre.

Resolving security issues, both the symptoms and the causes, had to be addressed in a holistic way.

"China stands ready to take an active part in Africa's effort in capacity building for maintaining and strengthening peace and support Africa and its endeavours to speed up development, eradicate poverty and realise durable peace," said Jinping.

This is the first time Focac is being held in South Africa. The first summit was held in 2000.

He said China and Africa should remain committed to solidarity and co-operation on international affairs.

The two shared a common position on a wide-range of international issues.

Jinping called on China and Africa to strengthen co-ordination and collaboration in an effort to make the global governance system more just and equitable.

China for Africa

"China will continue to stand up and speak for Africa at the United Nations and other international forums to support Africa in playing a greater international role," he said.

In order to build a comprehensive China-Africa strategic and co-operative partnership China would implement 10 co-operation plans with Africa in the next three years. 

"These plans aim at addressing bottleneck issues holding back Africa's development."

These bottlenecks were inadequate infrastructure, lack of professional and skilled personnel and funding shortages, said Jinping.

Some of the plans aim to accelerate Africa's industrialisation and agricultural modernisation and achieve sustainable self-development.

Others will focus on financial co-operation, green development trade and investment facilitation, public health co-operation, cultural ties and peace and security co-operation.

News24.com