The 3rd Conference of Chinese, African Entrepreneurs kicked off on Saturday afternoon in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazef inaugurated the conference.

"This conference is a real solid ground to the joint China- Africa efforts to promote cooperation," said Nazef at the opening ceremony.

"Promoting Chinese-African cooperation is necessary for the interests of both sides," he added.

Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry Rachid Mohamed Rachid said "This conference is a real opportunity to explore new ways of cooperation between Africa and China."

Ministers of trade, industry and commerce from China and African countries attended the meeting, as well as more than 800 businessmen from both sides.

The 3rd Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs is one of a series of meetings held here prior to the fourth ministerial meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) on Nov. 8- 9.