China regards Africa as a most trustworthy friend and will join hands with African countries to build strategic new partnership of mutual benefits and common development, a senior Chinese official said on Thursday in Pretoria.

Cai Wu, visiting Chinese minister of the State Council Information Office, made the remarks while delivering a keynote speech in Pretoria as part of the one-month grand gala "Experience China in South Africa 2006."

The Chinese minister said that as a big and important country in Africa, South Africa is playing an increasingly main role in the region and the world. In such a context, the friendly cooperation between China and South Africa is an important content of the Sino- African relations.

While China is the largest developing country in the world, the African continent has the largest concentration of developing countries. They have been understanding and supporting each other in many fields since they established diplomatic ties five decades ago, he said.

The Chinese people will never forget the solid support African countries have been offering to China all the time, he said, adding that China is not only South African people's old friend but also a new partner in reconstruction and development.

"In deepening globalization, China is willing to stimulate consultation and deepen cooperation with Africa in fields like the establishment of an international economic new order that is fair and rational," Cai said.

Cai also expressed hope that "Experience China in South Africa 2006" will give more South Africans an opportunity to know Chinese history and culture and understand the Chinese people's good will and friendly emotions toward them.

In response, South African Minister in Presidency Essop Pahad said that South Africa and China share common aspirations for fair and just world, and economic development of developing countries. The upcoming Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation will give new impetus to the relations between Africa and China.

Source: Xinhua