China, Africa trustworthy friends: Xi

DAR ES SALAAM - Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke on China's Africa policy here on Monday, calling for joint efforts from both sides to ensure peace and promote development.

In a speech delivered at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Center in Tanzania's economic capital, Xi, on a state visit to the East African country, said China and Africa will always be trustworthy friends and sincere partners.

The Chinese people are working hard to realize the Chinese dream of great national renewal, while the African people are committed to the African dream of gaining strength from unity and achieving development and rejuvenation, Xi said.

"The Chinese and African people should enhance unity, cooperation, mutual support and assistance so as to make our dreams come true. We should also work with the rest of the world to realize the dream of the world for enduring peace and common prosperity, and make new and even greater contribution to the noble cause of peace and development of mankind," Xi said.

Xi, accompanied by Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, spoke to a packed auditorium.

He recalled the long-standing traditional friendship between China and Africa, and their sincere support for and close cooperation with each other in fighting colonialism and imperialism, achieving independence and liberation, and pursuing development and national revival.

"A fraternal bond has been formed in this process, which has seen us through thick and thin," the Chinese president said.

China-Africa relations have now entered a fast track of all-round development, Xi said, adding the two sides have set up the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and established a new type of strategic partnership.

"Friendship and cooperation between the two people has become a symbol of China-Africa relations and is well received by the international community," said Xi.

A review of history shows that China-Africa relations have been nurtured and built, step by step, by the two sides, Xi said.

"These are all solid steps and we have always worked with one heart and one mind and shared weal and woe in this process," he added.

It shows that China and Africa have always been a community of shared destinies, he said, noting similar historical experiences, common development tasks and shared strategic interests have bound the two sides together.

It shows that the defining feature of China-Africa relations can be summed up as sincerity, friendship, mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and common development, he said.

"China has done its best to help Africa's development. Yet China is always grateful to African countries and peoples for the firm support and selfless help given to China over the years," he said.

A review of history also shows that, to develop ties, the two sides must keep pace with the times and forge ahead in a pioneering and innovative spirit, he said.

The Chinese leader stressed that China-Africa relations have reached a new historic starting point, with Africa becoming one of the fastest growing regions and forging ahead like a "galloping African lion," and China continuing to enjoy good momentum of development.

"Greater China-Africa cooperation represents the trend of the times and the will of the people," he said.

In the new environment, China-Africa relations have become more important with greater common interests, instead of less important with fewer common interests, Xi said.

"Let me assure you that China will intensify, not weaken, its efforts to expand relations with Africa," he said.