African diplomatic envoys to China held a reception in Beijing Tuesday to mark the 41st anniversary of Africa Day.

Addressing the event, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said that over the last half a century, China and African countries respected each other and treated each other as equals politically. The two sides supported each other in close cooperation in international affairs, and have established a new type of partnership featuring long-term stability, equality and mutual benefit.

He said the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation jointly launched in 2000 has provided the two sides with a new platform for closer dialogue, deeper friendship and enhanced cooperation.

China is willing to work with the African countries to move forward the China-Africa friendship and cooperation, Li said.

Antonio Inacio Junior, Mozambican ambassador to China, read a speech of Joaquim Alberto Chissano, Mozambican president and current chairman of the African Union (AU). He said besides celebrating the removal of the remaining yokes of colonialism and the retrograde regime of apartheid, African countries and people should continue to struggle against illiteracy, hunger, poverty and diseases.

He said since its foundation two years ago, the AU made new progress in the political and economic integration of the African countries.

The African countries will make endeavors to promote partnership with countries within and outside African, and make active contribution to achieve the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 26, 2004)