Assistant Foreign Minister Ambassador Ibrahim Ali Hassan underlined the importance of the convocation of the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Sharm el-Sheikh on Sunday.

The move reflects the depth and strength of relations binding Egypt and China, Hassan, who also is secretary general of the fourth ministerial meeting of the FOCAC, said.

He added Egypt's choice to play host to the event shows the country's pivotal role in the African arena and its powerful presence at all African forums.

Hassan underscored the importance of the documents which will be issued during the conference.

The conference will be held at an important time when the African continent is facing major challenges, he said, adding that China and the world economy are also facing major problems.

The challenges in the global arena, including the financial, food and energy crises, require coordinating efforts and deepening cooperation at the regional and international levels, he added.

The FOCAC, jointly proposed and established by China and more than 40 African countries in 2000, is a collective consultation and dialogue mechanism between China and the African countries, as well as a major and future-oriented move in the context of South-South cooperation.

The main agenda of the conference is to review the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and the Program for China-Africa Cooperation in Economic and Social Development - two documents adopted during the first ministerial meeting of the forum in Beijing. It is also to take up new initiatives on the way toward Sino-African cooperation in such areas of priority as human resources, agriculture, infrastructure, investment and trade.

In 2006, the landmark Beijing Summit of the FOCAC was held in China on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the first African country.