Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang said in Beijing Thursday that the traditional friendship between China and African countries is based on mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Qin made the remarks at a regular press conference Thursday afternoon, following the announcement of Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing's visit to six African countries.

Li's official visit will take him to Cape Verde, Senegal, Mali, Liberia, Nigeria and Libya. Chinese foreign ministers traditionally kick off New Year diplomacy by making Africa their first overseas destination .

Qin stressed that foreign countries' respect for China's sovereignty and its territorial integrity is a key political requisite for China establishing diplomatic relations with them. He reiterated that this respect is the foundation of the friendly and cooperative relationship between China and Africa.

Qin noted that China has been active in developing mutually beneficial cooperation between Africa and itself, adding that through bilateral channels or the multilateral China-Africa Cooperation Forum, cooperation will be extended to wider areas.

Energy will be an area for cooperation, Qin said.

He acknowledged China-Africa cooperation is in the interests of both sides and conducive to the development of countries in Africa.

Further development of the friendly cooperation between China and Africa reflects a global trend to seek peace, cooperation and growth, said Qin.

China is optimistic that China and African countries are bound to see further progress in their friendship and cooperation on the basis of the one-China principle, he added.

Source: Xinhua