Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi answers questions as he attends a press conference on the sidelines of the Fourth Session of China's 12th National People's Congress in Beijing on March 8 (XINHUA)

Though the Chinese economy is slowing down, it will not affect China's investment in Africa or assistance to the continent. China will deliver the investment and assistance it promised to Africa at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Johannesburg in December last year, Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi said at a press conference on March 8.  

On the sidelines of the Fourth Session of the 12th National People's Congress, China's top legislature, in Beijing, Wang answered questions from Chinese and foreign journalists on China's foreign policy and external relations. 

In response to Mwazipeza Sakala Chanda, a  journalist working with Zambia-based Daily Mail , asking if the economic slowdown would affect China's investment and assistance pledge to Africa, the minister said China is committed to them. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced at FOCAC Johannesburg Summit that China would carry out 10 cooperation plans with African countries, covering areas such as industrialization, agricultural modernization and infrastructure. 

"The most salient feature of these plans is the transition from a trade pattern that is so far dominated by resource products to one featuring more investment and industrial cooperation," Wang said, adding that by encouraging more Chinese businesses to invest in Africa, China is seeking to help the continent accelerate its industrialization and boost its capacity for development. 

Mwazipeza Sakala Chanda, a reporter working with Zambia-basedDaily Mail asks question on the development of China-Africa relationship (YANG JIA/China.org.cn)

In just three months after the summit, China has got in touch with over 20 African countries to follow up on the summit outcomes. A number of projects will materialize soon. The China-Africa industrial capacity cooperation fund has also become active, he said. 

"China's diplomatic relationship with African countries goes back 60 years. In the meantime, the world has changed, and so have China and Africa," Wang said. "But what remain unchanged are deep bond of friendship, mutual trust and mutual support between China and Africa." 

The minister noted that for many years, there are all kinds of talk about China-Africa cooperation. However, African countries were the best qualified to speak on this issue. At the Johannesburg Summit, many African leaders stated publicly that China had never colonized Africa; rather, it had helped Africa emerge from poverty, develop and experience a new life. The leaders further said Africa had been searching for a truly dependable partner sharing mutual interests and eventually, had found such a partner in China. 

"These statements struck a chord with many in the audience, and in my view, the African leaders spoke the mind of the African people," Wang added.