Chinese president's speech receives applause in Africa

JOHANNESBURG -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech delivered at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit in Johannesburg has received a round of applause from heads of state, scholars and ordinary Africans.

In his speech, President Xi said that China was treating Africa as an equal partner. He also insisted that Africa should not be dictated to but assisted to solve African problems in an African way.

Many were also impressed by different measures proposed by the Chinese leader in helping different sectors of Africa's economies.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe directly applauded his speech. "I must say after listening to President Xi Jinping, a speech so rich in forms of assistance covering practically all our sectors, I am sure that you agree with me that we give him a hand of applause."

"Here is a man representing a country once called poor, a country which never was our colonizer. He is doing to us what we expected those who colonized us yesterday to do," Mugabe said.

And South African President Jacob Zuma was also impressed. Zuma said, "Thank you very much your Excellency for a very wonderful speech, with a wonderful content and everything."

"It really explains what our relationship is between China and Africa," said Zuma.

Gideon Chitanga, Researcher at the Centre for Study of Democracy at the University of Johannesburg told Xinhua that the speech provided answers to most of Africa's expectations from China.

President Xi was able to address "most concerns and worries of African states around their relationship with China and what China is bringing to the table. The speech was well thought out and left Africans happy," said Chitanga.

Ordinary Africans were also impressed. Africa has a friend who genuinely wants to give help and the Chinese president made it clear that China does not want to oppress or colonize Africa, said South African national Dumisani Zwai.

"This is good to hear and it paints a bright future for our continent, added Zwai.