The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is a platform established by China and friendly African countries for collective consultation and dialogue and a cooperation mechanism between the developing countries, which falls into the category of South-South cooperation.

The characteristics of the Forum are as follows:

1. Pragmatic Cooperation: Its purpose is to strengthen consultation and expand cooperation and its focus is on cooperation.

2. Equality and Mutual Benefit: It promotes both political dialogue and economic cooperation and trade, with a view to seeking mutual reinforcement and common development.

(Xinhua News Agency October 2006)