China, African Union to explore full potential for practical cooperation: spokesperson

China is willing to work with the African Union (AU) to implement the outcomes of the dialogue and continue to explore the full potential for practical cooperation between the two sides to deliver more tangibly for the Chinese and African people, said China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning at a press conference in Beijing on Friday.

Mao briefed on the ninth China-AU Strategic Dialogue at the AU headquarters on Thursday, which was jointly chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

"The AU is a banner for Africa to seek strength through unity. China always develops relations with the AU from a strategic height and long-term perspective. The dialogue is an important strategic communication between China and the AU after the newly elected leadership of the AU Commission took office. Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf had an in-depth exchange of views on China-Africa relations, China-AU cooperation and international and regional issues of mutual interest, which deepened strategic mutual trust, enhanced mutual support, and consolidated solidarity and cooperation," said Mao.

"Both sides agreed that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and African leaders, China-Africa relations have grown by leaps and bounds and entered a new stage of jointly building the all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. Both sides agreed to continue firmly supporting each other on issues concerning core interests and major concerns and to enhance communication, coordination and mutual support in respective major initiatives. The two sides will jointly uphold the international order based on international law and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the Global South. The AU side reaffirmed its firm commitment to the one-China principle and firmly supported all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification," said Mao.

"We stand ready to work with the AU to implement the outcomes of the dialogue and continue to explore the full potential for practical cooperation between the two sides to deliver more tangibly for the Chinese and African people," she added.

China, African Union to explore full potential for practical cooperation: spokesperson

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday chaired a State Council executive meeting during which arrangements were made to implement a package of policies that will boost domestic demand by leveraging coordinated fiscal and financial measures.

The meeting noted that the package is an important measure to expand effective demand and innovate the approaches of macro-control.

Efforts should be made to refine loan interest subsidy policies for businesses in the services sector and personal consumption, aiming to expand the supply of high-quality services and boost household purchasing power, the meeting said.

It said that loan interest subsidy policies will be implemented for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, with an eye to bolstering private investment, and to lowering financing thresholds and costs for companies.

It stressed that basic public services should be provided based on an individual's place of permanent residence. Efforts will be made to address the most pressing concerns of permanent residents without a local household registration, and on improving their access to education, healthcare and employment services.

Chinese premier stresses coordination of fiscal, financial policies to boost demand