African countries have also offered valuable support to China. "Our African
friends played an important role in restoring the lawful seat of the People's
Republic of China in the United Nations," Tang said, noting that they gave China
strong support in foiling anti-China motions introduced by some Western
countries at the UN Human Rights Commission.
The vast majority of African countries adhere to the one-China principle and
support China's reunification. They have helped China defeat many attempts by
Taiwan to "participate in the United Nations" and to squeeze its way into the
World Health Organisation and other international bodies. They also supported
China in its bid to host the 2008 Olympics and the 2010 World Expo.
Tang said that in recent years, thanks to the joint efforts of the two sides,
China-Africa relations have made new progress, which finds expression in
enhanced political relations and closer cooperation in economy, trade, culture,
education, and other fields.
"As this year is of special commemorative significance for the two sides,
Chinese and African leaders have agreed to work together to lift China-Africa
relations to a new level," Tang said.
To this end, the Chinese government issued early this year the China's
African Policy, calling for a new type of strategic partnership between China
and Africa. This has received warm response from the African countries.
In April and June this year, President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao
visited Africa respectively. On 3-5 November, the two sides will hold the
Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and its third
Ministerial Conference.
Scores of African leaders will meet in Beijing for the Summit.
"I wish to point out in particular that, despite the profound changes both in
the international environment, in China and in Africa in the past half century,
China-Africa friendship has stood the test of time, gained in strength and is
thriving with vigor and vitality," Tang said.
According to the State Councilor, the fundamental reason behind this is that
the two sides have always treated each other with sincerity and as equals, and
pursued mutual benefit, solidarity, cooperation and common development.
"This is the valuable asset fifty years of China-Africa friendly relations
have left us and it will continue to drive the strong and long-term growth of
China-Africa relations," Tang said.
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