Representatives from the Japanese embassies in 20 African countries will gather on Tuesday and Wednesday in Pretoria, the capital of South Africa. The Foreign Ministry says the meeting will be the first of its kind.

The participants will discuss what specific assistance they can extend to Japanese firms trying to do business in Africa.

Some African countries are politically unstable and tensions often exist between ethnic groups in those countries. Thus, building ties with influential government figures is deemed crucial for firms wishing to operate on the continent.
The Japanese diplomatic missions have long been reluctant to directly support private firms.

Japan is now lagging behind China in securing drilling rights for oil and mineral resources in Africa. Last year, China acquired the rights for large-scale copper and cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Chinese government is known to be working aggressively to acquire such rights in Africa by working jointly with the private sector.

Ministry officials say Japan's advanced technology and investment, when aligned with the needs of African countries, will generate meaningful results for all the parties.

The city in southern Guangdong province plans to build 10 overseas innovation centers in countries and regions where there are abundant resources - such as the US, Canada and Europe - to absorb and make use of the innovative skilled staff located there.

Shenzhen Mayor Xu Qin mapped out the initiative in his government work report on Friday, when the Shenzhen people's congress kicked off.

"We will formulate special plans to support enterprises and organizations, to set up 10 innovation centers overseas to create an international collaborative innovation platform and gather innovative talent from across the world," Xu said, adding that the first four will start construction this year.

"To implement the action plans of Internet Plus and 'Made in China 2025', we also plan to build 10 manufacturing innovation centers in such areas as robotics, 3D printing and new energy vehicles to enhance our capability in high-end, precise and smart manufacturing," Xu added.

Known as the country's innovation hub, Shenzhen has been taking the lead in China in pursuing an innovation-driven economic development model.

Investment in research and development by the city amounted to more than 80 billion yuan ($11.6 billion) last year, accounting for 4.1 percent of its total gross domestic product. The number of its national high-tech companies increased by 2,513 in 2016, triple the growth a year earlier, to 8,037.

Over the past 12 months, we have consulted widely with neighbouring residents, local businesses, statutory authorities and continued to work closely with the council.

The council's planning committee considered the application and we are grateful that planning permission was granted for the redevelopment of our historic home.

The committee decision does not mean that work can begin on site. This is just the latest step, although a significant one, that we have to take before we can commence work, including obtaining various other permissions.

The estimated £500million cost of the work would be funded by club owner Roman Abramovich, although there is still some way to go before it can begin.

Chelsea will still need full planning consent, which they hope to achieve by working closely with council officers, and to complete the detailed design of the stadium and finalise logistical plans for the site and the surrounding area.