China, 48 African countries issue joint communique

Foreign ministers from China and 48 African countries have held their first political consultations in New York and issued a joint communique.

The document assesses the progress achieved so far in implementing the "Beijing Declaration" and "Beijing Action Plan".

The two were reached at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in the Chinese capital last November. Both sides have also expressed commitment to promoting their new strategic partnership. And they hope to boost cooperation in such areas of agriculture, healthcare, education and infrastructure construction.