Helping African countries contain the COVID-19 pandemic and bring their economies back on track is the top priority of the China-Africa cooperation, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday.

Speaking during a press conference on China’s foreign policy and foreign relations, Wang Yi said, “China and Africa enjoy a profound friendship, forged during the struggle for national independence and liberation.

“To help African countries fight the pandemic and bring the economy back on track is a top priority for China Africa cooperation, last year president Xi Jinping initiated and hosted the extraordinary China-Africa summit on solidarity and announced a host of new measures,” the Foreign Minister said.

Wang Yi further said China is committed to supporting Africa’s efforts to defeat the virus and strengthen public health, governance, accelerate industrialization and build up capacity for self generative development.

China has started to provide COVID-19 vaccines to 35 African countries and the African Union Commission.