Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with African Union Commission Chairman Alpha Oumar Konare at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2006. Konare is in Beijing for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which is scheduled for Nov. 4-5. (Xinhua Photo)  Photo Gallery >>>

AU chief arrives in Beijng for China-Africa summit

Chairman of the African Union (AU) Commission Alpha Oumar Konare (Front) smiles as he enters the car in Beijing on Nov. 1, 2006. Konare arrived in Beijing on Wednesday to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) scheduled for Nov. 4-5. (Xinhua Photo)  Photo Gallery >>>

African Union (AU) Commission Chairman Alpha Oumar Konare arrived in Beijing Wednesday morning to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) scheduled for Nov. 4-5.

Konare, former President of Mali, was elected AU Commission Chairman at the AU summit in Mozambique in 2003.

With 53 members, the AU is the largest political entity in Africa that seeks to combine politics, economy, military affairs and culture as one, aiming to unify currency and achieve free transit of personnel and goods.

Heads of state or government from more than 40 African countries have confirmed their attendance to the upcoming Beijing Summit.

Representatives from more than 20 organizations of the United Nations and African organizations have also been invited.