Xi's speech at anti-virus summit hailed

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa attends the summit via video link on Wednesday. XINHUA 

Calling the summit "an excellent initiative", Sall said that leaders attending the meeting reaffirmed their aspiration to consolidate the friendship between Africa and China and to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who attended the summit in his capacity as a member of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, thanked China for its swift response to provide Kenya and the rest of the continent with medical supplies, including testing kits, personal protective equipment and pharmaceuticals to help them fight the epidemic.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari also commended the Chinese government for its efforts to help African countries tackle the pandemic, and said Xi's strong support has further demonstrated the spirit of solidarity and enhanced the bond of partnership that already exist among FOCAC members.

A joint statement released after the summit reiterated the countries' opposition to the politicization and stigmatization of the virus, and called on the international community to jointly prevent discrimination and stigmatization and reject misinformation and disinformation.

The countries also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting multilateralism, opposing unilateralism, safeguarding the United Nations-centered international system and defending international equity and justice, according to the statement.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus participated in the summit as special guests.

Speaking at a news conference in Geneva, Tedros said that since the pandemic started, China has been supporting Africa, especially in sending experts, sharing information and providing supplies, including COVID-19 testing kits. He applauded the summit, saying the platform will be important in strengthening China-Africa relations and solidarity across the world.