The Second China-Africa Young Leaders' Forum opened on Monday morning at the Beijing International Convention Center. The forum took as its theme "China-Africa Cooperation and Youth Development".

The opening ceremony of the second China-Africa Young Leaders' Forum is held in Beijing, June 18, 2012. [Guo Jiali/China.org.cn]

The opening ceremony was attended by Chairman Jia Qinglin of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Namibia's founding president Sam Nujoma and Secretary General Ithana of the SWAPO party of Namibia. Senior government figures from both China and Africa were also in attendance.

In his keynote speech to the conference, Jia praised the Young Leaders Forum, calling it a great creation in the history of China-Africa friendship.

Jia also discussed ways in which young African and Chinese leaders could work to further strengthen friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries. His three main hopes were that the two countries' young leaders would: carry forward the tradition of long-lasting friendship between China and Africa; actively promote China-Africa cooperation in various fields; and strive to safeguard global peace and justice.

In concluding his speech, Jia said: "Young people are playing an ever more important role in inheriting and enhancing our [China and Africa's] friendship, and I hope they will work together to advance the great cause of China-Africa friendship."

African speakers at the forum pledged to dedicate themselves to the cause of China-Africa friendship and world peace and development.

In her remarks, Secretary General Ithana of the SWAPO Party of Namibia, who is also the Minister of Justice, said: "Young leaders should take responsibility and make new contributions toward enhancing China-Africa friendship and safeguarding the common interests of developing countries."

Wynter Kabimba, Secretary General of the Patriotic Front of Zambia, called on Africa's young leaders to learn from the experiences of their Chinese friends, especially with regard to social and economic development. He also expressed his appreciation to both China and Namibia for providing such a great communication platform.

Since its inception, the China-Africa Young Leaders' Forum has brought together more than 100 young leaders from 38 African countries and nearly 100 people from different sectors in China, including government officials, academics, representatives of public institutions and business leaders. The forum is jointly organized by the SWAPO Party of Namibia and the Communist Party of China.

The First China-Africa Young Leaders' Forum was held in Namibia's capital city of Windhoek, on May 21 and 22, 2011, taking as its theme "Friendship, Cooperation and Development".