The China-Africa Forum has become an effective platform for China and Africa to carry out practical and substantial cooperation in the new century, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said in Beijing Tuesday.  

Tang made the remark during a meeting with a delegation of senior African diplomats.

The delegation consists of 27 members from 22 countries and four sub-regional organizations of Africa.

Tang said that within the framework of the China-Africa Forum that was established five years ago, China and Africa have increased exchange of visits, enhanced political trust and rapidly expanded cooperation in the fields of trade and economy. The two sides also conducted close consultations and cooperation on international affairs.

Tang emphasized that China will always firmly take the road of peaceful development and expand friendly and cooperative relations with various countries in the world on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

Tang said China will always regard itself as one of the developing countries in the world. Therefore, he said, strengthening cooperation with developing countries is a cornerstone of China's foreign policy.

Under the new circumstances, China is ready to join efforts with African countries and other developing countries to promote development of Sino-African friendship and push for the establishment of a "just, rational international order."

(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2005)