Chinese President Hu Jintao said Thursday in Beijing that the upcoming Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will discuss at the highest level the cooperation between China and Africa.

The summit, to be held on Nov. 4-5, will also orient the cooperation between the two sides in various fields, said Hu during a meeting with his Botswana counterpart Festus Mogae.

While congratulating Botswana on its 40th anniversary of independence, Hu said the relations between China and Botswana have developed smoothly since the two countries forged diplomatic ties more than 30 years ago.

"We are willing to deepen mutual understanding and trust, widen bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, culture, education and health, and strengthen coordination and cooperation between China and Botswana in international affairs to maintain the common interests of developing countries," Hu said.

Mogae said FOCAC has set a good example for the South-South cooperation and the Beijing Summit will improve Africa's relations with China as well as its ties with countries in other regions.

Botswana enjoys good relations with China, which are established on the basis of mutual respect and benefit, said Mogae, who is here to attend the Beijing Summit. His country also appreciates China's assistance in the areas of investment, technology, health and education, the president added.

Forty eight African countries that have diplomatic relations with China are to participate in the two-day summit focusing on " friendship, peace, cooperation and development."

FOCAC is a mechanism for collective dialogue and cooperation jointly established by China and Africa to cope with new challenges and facilitate common development.

Since the FOCAC was established in 2000, economic and trade cooperation between China and Africa has entered a new era, with comprehensive, rapid and stable development.

Source: Xinhua