In contrast with its Western rivals, China shows its genuine concern for development and progress in Africa by providing care and support for the independent development of African countries.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the new South Africa. Over the past twenty years our country has achieved great success in aspects such as social and economic change, and has presented a new face and a fresh environment during the period of transition. However, like many other African countries, South Africa also faces many problems and challenges such as poverty, inequality and unemployment. Many such African countries have a huge potential for development and we value both the bonds between African countries and the interaction between China and Africa.

In 2013 the President of China, Xi Jinping, made a successful state visit to Africa and had fruitful talks with several African countries. The recent visit of Prime Minister Li Keqiang to Africa was also a success. They reflect the importance that the Chinese leadership attaches to relations between China and Africa, raising Sino-African friendship to a new level.

I have visited China about 20 times, and on every occasion I can feel the vitality of the country. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, both China's society and its economy have developed and prospered. The Chinese government has also achieved success in many aspects such as improving its services and promoting social justice. Everyone benefits from China's stable growth.

On 29 April the "Year of Africa" opened in Beijing. The "Year of China" will open in South Africa in 2015. These activities will promote mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of both countries and will raise the mutual strategic partnership to a higher level. In 2015, the sixth session of the Forum for the Ministerial Conference on Sino-African Cooperation will be held in South Africa, and we hope that the strengthening of ties between China and Africa will contribute to their mutually beneficial cooperation.

Every country has its own dream. China's dream is one of prosperity, national renewal and the happiness of the people, while South Africa emphasizes innovation and cooperation for peace and mutual benefit. The two share many similarities.

The experience of China's development is useful for South Africa. We need to strengthen mutual learning and mutual trust between the two countries and exchange successful experiences, in order to achieve common development. African countries should address their independent development, based on peace, stability and social justice. African countries hope to solve some of their own problems through their own development, and thereby promote the development of the continent.

　It is a fact that there is a level of prejudice against China which opposes the development of friendship and cooperation between China and Africa. China and Africa must join hands and work together, speak well of the history of China in Africa, and speak well of African history in China, in order to write a new chapter of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation.

(The author is former minister of the presidency of South Africa)

This article is edited and translated from 中国是真正为非洲着想的 Source: People's Daily