In March 2013, at the North Beach Hotel in Durban, South Africa, where the Chinese delegation was staying, President Xi Jinping, who was visiting Africa, invited African leaders to hold an extraordinary breakfast meeting here.

The large round table covered with a white tablecloth was decorated in a simple and elegant manner. 14 African guests sat down one by one. Dishes such as longevity peach buns and spring rolls were placed on the table.

At this time, Xi Jinping's first visit to Africa after becoming President of China has entered its fifth day. "Listen to African countries' ideas on developing China-Africa relations" President Xi Jinping stated the original intention of holding this breakfast meeting at the beginning of the breakfast meeting.

      The African leaders present at the meeting recalled the friendship between their countries and the Chinese people.

The then South African President Zuma said: "When we fought for national independence and freedom, we fought shoulder to shoulder with the Chinese people." Ugandan President Museveni said: "China has always firmly opposed colonialism. Historically, China and Africa have always belonged to the same world." The then Mozambican President Guebuza said: "China sincerely helps Africa get out of poverty." ...

      For President Xi Jinping, Africa, the continent of hope, is familiar and intimate. He was well aware of the China-Africa friendship when he was young.

      "China and Africa are a community with a shared future that shares weal and woe. History has repeatedly proved that if China develops well, Africa will develop more smoothly; if Africa develops smoothly, China will develop even better." President Xi Jinping pointed out the true meaning of China-Africa relations in one sentence.

      The dialogue between the leaders of BRICS and African countries, which ended the day before, was themed "Unleashing Africa's Potential: Cooperation between BRICS and Africa in Infrastructure".

      At the breakfast meeting, many African leaders continued this topic, and Xi Jinping listened carefully and took notes seriously.

Personnel training, technical cooperation, financial investment... In each field of cooperation, African leaders are eager to learn from China's experience and gain China's support.

      President Xi Jinping responded that the Chinese government will take active measures to encourage Chinese companies to expand investment in Africa, especially in agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure construction and other fields, and will continue to require Chinese companies to actively fulfill their social responsibilities and pay more attention to technology transfer, personnel training and experience sharing.

      President Xi Jinping had a heart-to-heart talk with everyone on topics such as peace, integration, and equal participation in international affairs.

      "Today we all gather here with a common ideal and will, that is, Africa needs China, just as China needs Africa." The words of the then President of Benin Yayi expressed the common voice of Africa.

      It was time for the breakfast meeting to end, and people still had a lot to say.

      "There is no past tense in the development of China-Africa relations, only a present tense," President Xi Jinping said meaningfully. "We are willing to work with African countries to constantly recognize new situations and new tasks, constantly explore new ways and new approaches, constantly resolve new contradictions and new problems, and promote the development of China-Africa relations to a higher level and broader areas."