WINDHOEK, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The first Africa-China Young Leaders Forum concluded here Sunday, with the Windhoek Declaration reached at the end of the day, calling on young leaders in Africa and China to take their responsibilities in national development and China-Africa cooperation.

The forum, the first of its kind, brought together around 180 youth leaders from Africa and China, with 60 delegates from China, 60 delegates represent Namibia, and a further 60 from another 17 African countries.

Visiting Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo, Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba and Speaker of the Namibian National Assembly Theo-Ben Gurirab attended the opening ceremony of the Forum on Saturday, delivering speeches respectively.

"I hope that through concerted efforts, the forum will become a useful platform for regular exchanges and cooperation between our young people to better bring out the positive role of young people in advancing China-Africa strategic partnership. China is ready to give support and assistance needed as the forum grow," said Wu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, the country's top legislature.

Namibian SWAPO Party Secretary General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, who is also the Namibian minister of Justice, described China as a super-friend while addressing the opening ceremony.

She said that the foundation of Africa-China friendship was bed rocked in history and molded by their fore-fathers, who portrayed a forward looking vision of a better world for the peoples.

"It is thus within this wisdom that our friendship would see many more years to come and defeat the prophets of doom that would want to reverse this noble historical relationship".

During the two-day forum, young delegates discussed on a broad range of topics related to China-Africa relations, such as its historical roots, its context, the trade and investment relations, and the role of media in shaping the relations.

"According to the Windhoek Declaration, this youth platform will become a part of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) , and more African youth leagues will participate or co-host this forum in the future," Namibian Swapo Youth League (SPYL) secretary Elijah Ngurare told Xinhua after delivering a vote of thanks.

"The forum is about how Africa and China could stay together. It gives me a new vision. As a young African, I believe what the world will be like tomorrow depends on what we do today. Africans must take actions now, " Cameroonian delegate Olivier Deigui Mgbatane said to Xinhua.