From 15 to 16 December 2003, the Second Ministerial Conference of FOCAC was convened in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, six African presidents, three vice presidents, two other prime ministers, and one president of the senate as well as President Alpha Oumar Konare of the Commission of African Union and the representative of the UN Secretary General attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.

More than 70 ministers from China and 44 African countries responsible for foreign affairs and international economic cooperation and the representatives of some international and African regional organizations attended the conference.

The third Senior Officials Meeting in preparation for the second ministerial conference of FOCAC was held in Addis Ababa on 13 December, 2003.