4. The two sides expressed satisfaction that, despite the adverse impact of the global financial crisis, the African economy maintains sound momentum of recovery, which needs to be further consolidated. Although the countries on the continent now enjoy greater collective influence in international affairs, it is still insufficient in relation to their political and economic potentials, size and population. The two sides also expressed concern over the new challenges experienced by Africa, such as terrorism, acts of piracy, activities of transnational organized crime, the adverse effects of climate change, and the global financial crisis, among others. In this regard, they called on the international community to increase its support for peace and development efforts in Africa in order to secure stability and security.
5. The Chinese side highly commended the efforts of the AU and other African regional organizations and African countries to independently resolve regional conflicts and maintain regional peace and stability. China will continue to engage constructively in the good offices and resolution of hotspot issues in Africa, and support the important role of the United Nations (UN) Security Council in helping resolve regional conflicts in Africa. China will continue to support and participate in the peacekeeping operations in Africa. In this regard, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of the UN peacekeeping operations in the African continent, under the auspices of the UN and the AU. They undertook to strengthen cooperation on the training of peacekeeping personnel, and to upgrade African capacities in this important field. In this context, China and Africa called upon the international community and the UN agencies, including the Security Council to increase their technical, financial and logistical support to the AU peacekeeping missions.