JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 4 -- Africa's rapid development is exciting and encouraging and the momentum of the continent's independence is irresistible, Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Friday.

Africa is actively exploring a development path in line with its own conditions and pursuing an African way to address African issues, Xi said in a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of a landmark China-Africa summit.

The momentum of Africa's rapid development is irresistible, he said, noting that African countries are accelerating industrialization and seeking independent and sustainable development.

The momentum of African unity and self-renewal is also irresistible, said the Chinese president, stressing that the continent is speeding up integration process and speaking with one voice on the international stage.

The second summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in the 15-year history of FOCAC was kicked off here Friday.