China-Africa cooperation is a driving force behind African development, said Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Wednesday.

Defending China's engagement with Africa, Yang said that "if one wants to comment on China-Africa cooperation, he should first respect the will and views of the African people."

African countries and people welcome China, said Yang at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual parliament session.

"We're committed to a new strategic partnership with African countries and this partnership is based on sincerity, friendship, equality, mutual support, and common development," Yang said.

He said the African countries have the right to choose their own partners of cooperation, and they have the right to translate their advantage in resources into advantages in development, and to translate the potential advantages into real advantages through cooperation.

He said China is a responsible member of the international community and handle international affairs in a serious and responsible manner.

However, when asked for comments on whether China should shoulder more responsibilities to the resolution of international issues, for instance, whether it should pay closer attention to good governance and human rights in Africa, he said China is not to "take international responsibilities to serve the interests of certain countries or a group of countries."

Yang said China will shoulder more international responsibilities as it becomes stronger, but its "responsibilities should not be judged by criteria of certain countries or a certain group of countries."

(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2008)