A senior Chinese political advisor on Saturday expounded on China's position on boosting cooperation with Africa at a forum in Monaco.

Xu Kuangdi, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), delivered a speech at the 18th annual session of the Crans Montana Forum, explaining China's principles of developing practical cooperation with Africa

Xu said Sino-African cooperation witnessed significant progress in 2006 when the Sino-Africa Forum was held in Beijing in November and was a great success.

At the Beijing forum, China and African countries agreed to establish a new type of strategic partnership, characterized by political mutual trust, closer mutually beneficial economic links and increased cultural exchange, Xu noted.

China's aid focuses on those fields where assistance is urgently needed, in full respect for the wishes of the local people, he said.

China always adheres to the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs when developing relations with them, and supports African countries' efforts to choose their own paths of development, Xu said.

Sino-African cooperation, based on equality and mutual benefit, is a component of international cooperation and will never affect Africa's cooperation with other countries, he said.

China will honor its commitments made at the Beijing forum, Xu said.

The Crans Montana Forum, established in 1989, is designed to promote understanding and exchange between nations, governments and enterprises.

Source: Xinhua