Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo met with visiting African Union (AU) Commission Chairman Jean Ping at the Diaoyutai State Guest House Tuesday.

Dai welcomed Jean Ping's attendance of the China-AU strategic dialogue, saying it was an important part of Chinese diplomacy to enhance friendly and cooperative relations with Africa.

"No matter the past, the present or the future, Africa is always our good friend, good brother and good partner," Dai said," No matter to what extent China's economy develops, We will always work with the African countries based on mutual respect and equality."

In recent years, the general situation of Africa was stable, said Dai, adding Africa's collective influence in the international affairs received more and more attention from the international community.

"We believe that Africa will gain greater achievements in the road of development," he said.

Jean Ping said China was Africa's sincere and trustworthy friend. China had always played a constructive role in the great cause of peace and development in Africa and positively supported Africa's reasonable appeals.

He said the African countries were willing to further enhance cooperation and coordination with China.

The AU would continue to stand by China on major issues concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, he stressed.

Earlier Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Jean Ping co-chaired the second round of the China-AU strategic dialogue.

During their meeting, Yang said China always attached importance to the status and role of the AU and had provided assistance to the AU in capacity building and peace-keeping action of related African countries.

Recent years has witnessed a rapid development of China-AU relations, Yang said, adding that China appreciated AU's firm support to China in the issues related to China's core interests.

China is willing to work with the AU to promote the continuous development of their cooperation, Yang said.

Jean Ping is visiting China from Sept. 7-11, as guest of the government.

(Xinhua News Agency September 9, 2009)