Li: China-Africa ties, pacesetter of South-South cooperation

China-Africa relationship has become a pacesetter of South-South cooperation featuring sincerity, mutual trust and harmony, according to a press release on Sunday.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang made the remarks in a joint interview with African press ahead of his official visit to Ethiopia and the headquarters of the African Union, Nigeria, Angola and Kenya from May 4 to 11.

China-Africa relationship has a long history and is full of vitality. "Since the 1950s and 1960s, our common historical experiences have brought China and Africa together, and we have forged deep friendship in our joint struggle during which we have supported each other in times of difficulty," Li said.

As a Chinese saying goes, it is easy to get a thousand pieces of gold but difficult to find a bosom friend. The Chinese people will never forget that it is our African brothers who carried us into the United Nations and we are always proud to have built the Tazara. Among all the international donations made to the people affected by the earthquake in Wenchuan, China in 2008, those from Africa were particularly appreciated; at the United Nations and other multilateral organizations, China has always voiced its strongest support in upholding the legitimate rights and interests of Africa and other developing countries, according to the premier.

To the Chinese, the African people are always "our good brother, good friend and good partner who are trustworthy and reliable", Li said.

Having long overcome the barrier of geographical distance as well as cultural and social differences, China-Africa relationship has become a pacesetter of South-South cooperation featuring sincerity, mutual trust and harmony, he said.

He said China-Africa cooperation has created vast space and strong driving force for our respective development endeavors. More importantly, it has contributed to elevating the overall status of developing countries and promoting human progress.

"China is ready to work with African countries to enhance strategic mutual trust, deepen cooperation in upholding peace and security, boost practical cooperation, strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges and make greater progress in building a new type of China-Africa strategic partnership," the premier said.