On June 30, 2011, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao sent a congratulatory message, wishing full success for the 17th session of the Heads of State and Government of the AU held in Malabo, capital of Equatorial Guinea.

Wen hailed the African Union (AU)'s role in international and regional affairs. He expressed his hope that African countries, under the leadership of the AU, could keep on making new achievements in revitalizing the continent. Meanwhile, Wen spoke highly of China-Africa relations. He said that China is willing to strengthen coordination with Africa in international and regional affairs, boost bilateral cooperation under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and jointly promote the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership.