Chinese President Hu Jintao addresses the opening ceremony of the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, July 19, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday attended the opening ceremony of the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

The opening session was also attended by several African leaders and dozens of senior officials from African countries.

President Hu delivered a speech at the occasion, pledging to lift the China-Africa strategic partnership to a new level.

During the two-day meeting, the delegates will review the implementation of tasks set in the last meeting in 2009, explore new ways to deepen China-Africa relations and improve the forum's mechanism.

The meeting is also expected to forge new cooperation plan for the coming three years and exchange views on major international and regional issues.

The Chinese government is also expected to announce its new measures to promote cooperation with Africa.