The Chinese government Thursday hailed the "positive" role of Africa's sub-regional organizations, saying that it stands ready to enhance friendly cooperation with those organizations.

"China appreciates and supports the positive role of Africa's sub-regional organizations in promoting political stability, economic development and integration in their own regions and stands ready to enhance its amicable cooperation with those organizations," China said in its first African Policy Paper issued Thursday.

The paper highlighted the role of the African Union (AU), saying that China appreciates the significant role of the AU in safeguarding peace and stability in the region and promoting African solidarity and development.

"China values its friendly cooperation with the AU in all fields, supports its positive role in regional and international affairs and stands ready to provide the AU assistance to the best of its capacity," the paper said.

The paper, composed of more than 3,000 English words, is divided into six parts, including Africa's position and role, China's relations with Africa, China's African policy, Enhancing all-round cooperation between China and Africa, Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and its follow-up actions, China's relations with African regional organizations.

This is the first time that the Chinese government has issued a paper elaborating its policy towards Africa. Among the total 53 African countries, 47 of them have established diplomatic relations with China.

Source: Xinhua