Commentary: Xi's visit starts new era of China-Africa relations

BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping Saturday wrapped up his African tour, which took him to Tanzania, South Africa and the Republic of the Congo.

It was reasonably believed that his successful visit to the three African countries started a new epoch of relations between China and Africa.

The Republic of the Congo, located in central Africa, is one of the first African countries that established diplomatic relations with China, and Tanzania in eastern Africa is among the African countries that have the staunchest ties with China, while South Africa is one of those in the continent that have witnessed the fastest growth in their ties with China.

Old friends or new, Xi's visit has shown the world that the "deep traditional friendship" between China and Africa is advancing with the times.

In the old days, it was the African countries that helped China resume its membership in the United Nations.

In turn, China started to extend assistance to Africa half a century ago, though it was still a poor country at that time.

Their experiences of similar ordeals in history and friend-in-need relations have helped forge a "real feeling" between China and Africa on the basis of sincerity.

China and African countries firmly support each other in issues concerning their core interests as well as major international and regional issues. Some African commentators said that sincerity is the most prominent feature of China's ties with African countries.