On July 18, 2012, the fourth Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs opened in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Premier Wen Jiabao attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech.

Wen said that friendly cooperation between China and Africa, like a towering tree, has weathered the storms and continued to grow despite volatilities in the international situation in recent years. We have harvested not only rich fruits but also friendship and mutual trust which is more precious than gold. Facts have shown once again that China and Africa are good friends, good partners and good brothers forever.

He pointed out that China-Africa business ties have seen exciting growth both in terms of size and structure. Bilateral trade has grown rapidly with improved mix and quality. Africa's exports to China doubled within three years with increasing varieties. Notable progress has been made in cooperation on financing. The cooperation projects better meet Africa's development needs and have enhanced Africa's capacity for self-development. The strong investment cooperation covers increasingly diversified areas and ways and has boosted Africa's industrial growth. China has stepped up assistance to Africa, with greater emphasis on promoting sustainable development, which has helped enhance Africa's capacity to meet challenges such as food security and climate change. The Chinese government is working with African countries to explore effective solutions to the issues emerging in the process of China-Africa cooperation. We have full confidence in China-Africa business cooperation and believe that the future holds ever greater promise for our business ties.

He noted that China and Africa today enjoy growing common interests and a stronger foundation for cooperation. Guided by the principle of sincere friendship, equality, mutual benefit and common development, China will continue to work with African countries to grow even closer economic and trade relations. The two sides should strengthen inter-governmental consultation and coordination, adopt feasible mid and long-term cooperation programs so that the industries will be in a better position to complement and work with each other and build the legal framework. Balanced development of trade between China and Africa should be promoted. China will increase import of African goods and further open its market to African countries. Both sides should further intensify investment cooperation. China will follow a government-guided, business-led and market-driven approach for win-win outcomes. We will put greater emphasis on the need to improve people's well-being, create more jobs, protect Africa's ecological environment and respect local cultures and customs. We will pay more attention to project management and audit and raise the efficiency and quality of investment. China and Africa should jointly manage food crisis and lay a solid foundation to ensure economic and social development in Africa. International cooperation on sustainable development should be boosted and more projects to help Africa improve living conditions and raise capacity for sustainable development should be conducted.

He said finally that China is committed to peaceful development. We call for the establishment of a more just and equitable international political and economic order, oppose inequalities in all forms and support the independent choice of development paths made by African countries. China pursues an open, inclusive and win-win approach in carrying out cooperation with Africa. We will work with both Africa and the entire international community to contribute more to world peace and development and the well-being of mankind.

President of Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou, Prime Minister of Cape Verde Jose Maria Pereira Neves, Prime Minister of Kenya Raila Amollo Odinga as well as nearly 1,000 Chinese and African entrepreneurs attended the conference.