CLOSE TIES: Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu (right) meets Adolphe Muzito, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo (ZHAO YINGQUAN)

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the inception of China's diplomatic relations with African countries. Can you briefly review the latest progress in China-Africa relations over the past five years?

The past five years coincided with China's 11th Five-Year Plan period (2006-10). They were also the time when China's diplomacy flourished and China-Africa relations achieved remarkable progress. During this period, China-Africa relations sustained a momentum of all-round, rapid development, with frequent political contacts, higher level of strategic trust, fruitful result-oriented cooperation in various fields including trade, economic and social development and closer coordination on international affairs and on major global issues. China-Africa relationship has become a highlight of China's diplomacy. It has also become one of the most dynamic external relationships of China.

One cannot conduct a comprehensive review of China-Africa relations without mentioning the following major activities:

First, the FOCAC Beijing Summit was successfully held in November 2006. At the summit, China and Africa jointly defined a new type of strategic partnership featuring equality and mutual trust, win-win cooperation and cultural exchange. On behalf of the Chinese Government, President Hu Jintao announced eight measures on promoting China-Africa cooperation and supporting Africa√s development, thus opening a new chapter in the history of China-Africa relations.

Second, while China-Africa relations withstood the test of the global financial crisis, China-Africa friendship struck deeper roots in the hearts of the Chinese and African people. Despite the impact of the financial crisis, China not only faithfully honored its assistance commitments to Africa, but also continued to increase assistance to the full extent of its ability - efforts that were given high marks by African countries and their people. The Chinese people, for their part, will never forget the valuable support and assistance from African friends when China hosted the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008 and the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai and when major natural disasters struck, such as the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008.

Third, the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of FOCAC was successfully held in November 2009 and became a new beginning of the development of China-Africa relations. Premier Wen Jiabao announced, on behalf of the Chinese Government, eight new measures to promote practical China-Africa cooperation. Implementation of the measures is now smoothly underway. I am confident that, with the joint efforts of both sides, China-Africa relations will build on the achievements and make further progress in the next five years.