China and Africa on Monday called for deeper and more frequent people-to-people exchange as they launched the first China-Africa nongovernmental organization (NGO) forum to bring together civil society actors.

The forum, China-Africa People's Forum, which is cosponsored by China NGO Network for International Exchanges (CNIE) and Kenya's NGOs Coordination Board, attracted more than 200 representatives from 20 Chinese NGOs and around 100 NGOs from 18 African countries.

Kenyan Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, who officially launched the forum, said the forum is an indication that China's interest in Africa is not just limited to trade, but also on building deep and enduring friendship with the people of Africa.

"The forum provides a unique opportunity for us to learn from each other's unique experiences and successes," he said, terming the forum "a significant contribution to a true and mutually beneficial friendship between China and Africa. "

Wang Zhizhen, the vice chairwoman of China's National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said at the opening ceremony that the forum, brand-new in the history of China-Africa relationship, should be institutionalized since it enhances the exchange between the two peoples and earns support from the civil society of the two sides for the China-Africa mutually beneficial cooperation.

In a message read at the forum opening ceremony, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he hopes the forum can generate ideas on how to promote civil engagement in social sustainability.

The two-day forum, under the theme of "Enhance partnership and promote friendship between China and Africa", will see participants discuss issues including climate change and food security, NGOs' credibility and transparency, and the relationship among governments, nongovernmental organizations, businesses and communities.

Among the Chinese NGO participants are All-China Women's Federation, Chinese people's Association for Peace and Disarmament, Chinese Association for International Understanding and All-China Environment Federation.

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