Africa is ready to leverage existing China-Africa partnerships, such as the FOCAC, and fast-track Africa's developmental agenda, visiting President of South Africa Jacob Zuma said Thursday.

Zuma is in Beijing from July 18 to 20 to attend the opening session of the fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum On China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which was held at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday.

Zuma hailed the lasting assistance China has lent to Africa, saying that China's commitment to Africa has already been demonstrated through tangible and concrete results, particularly in terms of human resource development, debt relief and investment.

"We are particularly pleased that in our relationship with China we are equals and that agreements we entered into are for mutual gain," said Zuma, noting that the FOCAC conference indicates commitment to mutual respect and benefit.

When discussing the 12th anniversary of the formation of the FOCAC, Zuma thanked China for its work through the forum, saying that his sentiment echoes many voices on the African continent.

"This unique structure has enabled us to work closely as strategic partners for the common good of all our people," he said.

The fifth Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC is held in Beijing from July 19 to 20. The conference will review the implementation of follow-up activities from the fourth ministerial conference of the FOCAC in 2009, as well as examine and adopt the "Beijing Declaration" and "Beijing Action Plan (2013-2015)" to define new cooperative programs to be undertaken over the next three years.

Zuma said the Chinese government has remained steadfast in maintaining cooperative programs and commitments it made at both the Beijing Summit in 2006 and the fourth FOCAC held in 2009 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

"Despite the overcast global economic climate, you (President Hu Jintao) have refused to back-track on your promises. Today, the world understands what you meant when you declared: 'China values its friendship with Africa. Strengthening unity and cooperation with Africa is a key principle that guides China's foreign policy.'"

Zuma pointed out that growth and investment opportunities in sectors such as infrastructure development, green technology and agriculture are on the rise, adding that Africa has become one of the world's fastest growing continents and that its growth will continue to go upward for years to come.

"The African continent is now being seen as a major player and is becoming more attractive to investors and development partners," Zuma said.

However, he also admitted that there are still major challenges facing Africa, such as the development of infrastructure and information technology.

"In this area, we call on China to partner with us in tackling these challenges," Zuma noted, expressing hope that joint ventures will be created between China and Africa to address supply side constraints and diversification of resources derived from African countries.

Next month marks the two-year anniversary of the signing of the Beijing Declaration between China and South Africa, which is set to co-chair FOCAC on behalf of the African side after its predecessor Egypt.

South Africa appreciates the way Egypt has co-chaired FOCAC for the past six years, Zuma noted, stressing that South Africa pledges to cooperate with China in ensuring that their partnership will be further strengthened and continue to be mutually beneficial.

Zuma also commented on the AU Commission (AUC)'s admittance to FOCAC, encouraging the Chinese side to work closer with the AUC.

Zuma expressed confidence that Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the AUC's first female chairperson and South Africa's home affairs minister, will help promote the African development agenda through the FOCAC partnership.

The FOCAC is a collective consultation and dialogue mechanism between China and African countries launched in 2000.