BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Beijing Declaration was reached Friday at the end of the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), calling for an improvement to the international system and order.

"We have taken note that the international situation is undergoing profound and complex changes. Peace, development and cooperation are the calling of the times. The balance of power in the world is moving towards more of an equilibrium," according to the declaration.

It noted that developing countries are playing an increasingly important role in international affairs and underscored the importance for Africa to assume its rightful place in the international arena.

The declaration reaffirmed FOCAC countries' commitment to upholding the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the basic norms governing peaceful resolutions reached through political means and advocated the security concept featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination.

"We stand for upholding the UN's core position and role in international affairs, and reaffirm that the historical injustices endured by African countries should be undone, and priority should be given to increasing the representation of African countries in the UN Security Council and other UN agencies," the declaration said.

The document also pointed out that the global financial crisis is still spreading and deepening, and the world economic situation remains grim.

"We believe that countries around the world should work to pursue peace, promote development and resolve differences through cooperation, with a view to achieving stability and recovery of the world economy," the declaration said.