Commentary: China sees Africa as true friend

BEIJING, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- It is a Chinese tradition to visit friends during the Spring Festival, refreshing friendship and exchanging greetings.

For years, Africa, a true friend of China, has been on top of the visiting list of the Chinese foreign minister at the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

This year is no exception. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi is visiting South Africa. The visit demonstrates once again that China attaches importance to the new type of strategic partnership with Africa and takes it as foundation for its foreign policy.

The new leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), following the practice of their predecessors, give much attention to ties with African countries.

"No matter how situations change, China will attach importance to ties with Africa, remain a reliable friend and faithful partner of African nations," CPC General Secretary Xi Jinping told visiting African Union Commission chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on Sunday.

China, Africa's largest trade partner, sees that the development of Africa creates opportunities for China as China's development offers chances for the African continent.

China-Africa mutually beneficial cooperation has brought African countries investment, jobs and low-priced Chinese products. Meanwhile,China serves as a large market for African products.

As a matter of fact, the common development of China and Africa will not only bring tangible benefits to Chinese and Africans, but is also good for the growth of developing countries as a whole, thus helping make international relations more democratic. The development of China and Africa is conducive to safeguarding world peace and stability.

Besides, the Chinese leadership is determined to lift China-Africa ties to a higher level by boosting political, economic and cultural cooperation as well as coordination on regional security and major global issues.

Africa has been a staunch supporter of China on issues concerning its core interests on world arena, and China has dedicated itself to peace on the continent, sending there more peacekeeping forces than any other permanent member of the UN Security Council. China has escorted more than 5,000 civilian vessels off Somalia by the end of 2012.

The friendship between China and Africa, characterized by sincerity, equality, mutual trust and mutual benefit, is destined to last.

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