Both Africa and China have worked in the past decade to promote mutual understanding and interests and cement a partnership that can quickly respond to global challenges, according to a Nigerian expert.

The kind of attitude held by the Chinese government and its people toward Africa had helped nourish a very consistent relationship, Bola Akinterinwa, director-general of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

He said China showed solidarity with third world countries and was able to interact with them and remove discord in their relationship.

China remained one of the most treasured partners of Africa, especially Nigeria, in terms of foreign relations, Akinterinwa said, adding the Forum On China-Africa Cooperation had helped promote understanding between the Chinese and African peoples.

The director-general said China and African countries had collaborated in various aspects of life to strengthen the bilateral relations. They would also jointly formulate policies that advanced both economies.

Africans, particularly Nigerians, visited China more often than ever before, he said.

Akinterinwa, however, advised the Chinese government to place greater emphasis on transfer of technology to Africa.

He also proposed China promote its culture in the African continent to help people there better understand the Asian country.