On the afternoon of November 4, 2006, The High-level Dialogue between Chinese and African Leaders and Business Communities and the 2nd Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs opened in Beijing. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council put forward 5 suggestions on raising the level of China-Africa cooperation, including expanding trade between China and Africa, strengthening the investment cooperation, upgrading the level of China's assistance to Africa, promoting business cooperation and intensifying human resources training for Africa.

Wen said that China and Africa should strive to increase the bilateral trade volume to US$100 billion by 2010 by constantly optimizing the trade structure and further tapping the potentials. China will encourage competent and well-reputed Chinese enterprises to make investment in and transfer appropriate technologies and management experience to Africa. In the meantime, China will, based upon its own development level, gradually expand the scale of assistance to Africa and help African countries improve self-development abilities and promote the all-round economic and social development.

Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, co-chair country of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, said in his speech that the Conference will enable the business communities, as an important force, to be part of the close cooperation between China and Africa. Ethiopia expects greater participation of China in its economic development.

Speaking on behalf of the Northern African countries, Algerian President Bouteflika said that the Chinese enterprises have rich experiences and reliable technologies. The rapid development of Chinese economy is admirable. China sets up a good example and even becomes a model for us.

Gabonese President Omar Bongo, on behalf of the Central African countries, said in his speech that the Central African region, like all the African countries, looks forward to establishing diversified partnerships with our partners so as to promote our economic growth.

Pakalitha Mosisili, Prime Minister of Lesotho, chair country of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) , said on behalf of the Southern African countries that the 2nd Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs, with the presence of a large number of Chinese and African leaders, is held at the right time for the SADC. The Conference actually offers a good chance for both the entire African continent and the SADC. We can take this opportunity to tell China that the SADC and Africa are mature destinations to Chinese investment.

Mamadou Tandja, President of Niger and Executive Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECWAS) said that ECWAS is one of the most important regional economic communities in Africa. We hope to establish an effective partnership with China, which will boost our confidence to build the infrastructure, achieve agricultural modernization and improve the industrial competitiveness.

Kagame, President of Rwanda, Vice Chair of the African Union and rotating Chair of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), delivered a speech on behalf of the Eastern Africa. According to him, China's experience inspires them greatly. COMESA has been committed to reform. They have benefited a lot from the partnership between China and Africa.