BEIJING — Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli met with visiting African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in Beijing on Nov 2, voicing China’s support for the continental union.

He said China attaches great importance to the ties with the AU and backs the union’s commitment to the undertakings of peace and development in Africa.

The Chinese side will work with the AU closely to implement President Xi Jinping’s promise of assistance, and boost cooperation on Africa’s infrastructure and industrialization to benefit the African people.

At a UN summit in September, President Xi announced that in the next five years, China will provide a total of $100 million of free military aid for the AU to support the establishment of the African Standby Force. China will also deploy its first helicopter detachment in UN peacekeeping missions in Africa.

As the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is slated to take place on Dec 4-5 in South Africa, Zhang said China will work with the AU and other members of the forum to take the opportunity to enhance unity and cooperation between China and Africa.

Expressing her gratitude for China’s consistent support for the AU and Africa, Zuma said the union stands ready to make joint efforts with China to make the summit a success and further boost cooperation between Africa and China.