China and Africa agreed to join hands to support the role of the United Nations in international affairs, says an action plan adopted at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) on Sunday afternoon.

China and Africa pledged to work together to uphold the important role of the United Nations in international affairs and promote multilateralism and democracy in international relations, says the document, reaffirming respect for the UN Charter, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the principles in the Constitutive Act of the African Union.

China and Africa will support strengthening UN authority and efficiency through reform, and such reform should be based on democratic negotiations and conducive to maintaining unity among UN member states, says the plan, adding that the concerns of developing countries should be fully considered.

The roadmap for China-Africa cooperation over the next three years calls for priority of developing countries, African countries in particular, in the UN Security Council reform.

The action plan also calls for international involvement in the cause of poverty relief of Africa, saying the international community should "work actively to build an international environment conducive to poverty alleviation and common development" to help Africa achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

It says China and Africa welcomed the establishment of the Human Rights Council by the United Nations.

It says China will support the efforts by those African countries that are seeking the World Trade Organization membership, pledging to step up coordination for the early resumption of the Doha Round of negotiations.

The landmark two-day Beijing Summit concluded Sunday afternoon. Chinese President Hu Jintao, 41 heads of state or government and senior officials of 48 African countries that have diplomatic ties with China, as well as representatives from regional and international organizations attended the gathering highlighting " friendship, peace, cooperation and development."

Addressing the opening ceremony, Hu announced a package of major assistance, investment, trade and other key cooperation measures with Africa in an effort to forge a new type of strategic partnership.

Later Saturday, a high-level dialogue and entrepreneurs conference opened at the Great Hall of the People, where Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao proposed China and Africa fully tap cooperation potential.

Source: Xinhua