The first ministerial conference of FOCAC was held in Beijing from 10 to 12 October 2000.

President Jiang Zemin, Premier Zhu Rongji of the State Council and Vice President Hu Jintao of the People's Republic of China, President Gnasinbe Eyadema of the Republic of Togo, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of the Democratic People's Republic of Algeria, President Frederic Chiluba of the Republic of Zambia, President Benjamin William Mkapa of the United Republic of Tanzania, Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim attended the opening ceremony and the closing ceremony respectively and delivered important speeches.

More than 80 ministers from China and 44 African countries, representatives of 17 regional and international organizations, people from the business communities of China and Africa were invited to the conference. The conference charted the direction for the development of a new, stable and long-term partnership featuring equality and mutual benefit between China and African countries.

The first Senior Officials Meeting in preparation for the first ministerial conference of FOCAC was held in Beijing from 7 to 9 October, 2000.