China Stresses Friendship with Africa ����The Chinese government is willing to step up its efforts to promote cooperation and exchanges with African nations in every aspect in order to achieve common development and bring sound bilateral relations into the 21st century. ����Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi made this remark on January 12 at a regular news conference, stressing that "strengthening and developing friendly relations of cooperation with African nations and other developing countries is an important part of China's independent foreign policy of peace." ����He said China supports the countries of Africa in their independent choices of political and developmental systems suited to their individual national conditions. China also supports efforts to safeguard their independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, their struggles against foreign interference, and the promotion of solidarity among African nations. ����Sun also urged that all African countries resolve their disputes through peaceful negotiations. ����China will adhere to the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence and never interfere in the internal affairs of African countries, he noted. ����He called on the international community to respect Africa politically and help them economically, saying that China is ready to increase consultations on world affairs with African countries and work together to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the developing countries. ���� HomeNews 1999-01-13 Page4 Full Story in Chinese