Luanda — The member of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Tang Jiaxun recently stressed the cooperation relations between China and Africa in diplomatic, cultural, economic and political spheres.

According to a communiqu' released by the Chinese embassy, made available to Angop, Tang Jiaxun was speaking on occasion of the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of diplomatic relations between New China and African countries, marked this year, during an interview he granted to Xinhua News Agency.

The Chinese official said that despite the long distance between China and Africa, their friendly exchanges have a long history. The founding of new China in 1949 ushered in a new era in China-Africa relations.

In May 1956, diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level were established between China and the Arab Republic of Egypt, thus inaugurating China Diplomatic relations with African nations.

Tang Jiaxuan added that since then many African countries have established diplomatic relations with the Asia nation as they gained independence. China now has diplomatic ties with 48 African countries.

"Over the past fifty years, the Chinese and African peoples have shared weal and woe, sympathised with and supported each other. China stood firmly with the African people and provided them with moral and material assistance in their strenuous struggle to overthrow the colonial rule and gain independence", stressed the Chinese official.

He forwarded that since African countries won independence, China has continued to support them in upholding sovereignty, safeguarding independence and promoting economic development adding that by doing so China has contributed to Africa's political stability and socio-economic development.

Tang Jiaxuan also highlighted the valuable support offered by African countries to China saying "Our African friends played an important role in restoring the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations (UN)".

He said that African countries gave China strong support in foiling anti-China motions introduced by some Western nations at the UN human Rights Commission, adding that the vast majority of African countries adhere to the one China principle and support China's reunification.

"They have helped China defeat many attempts by Taiwan to participate in the United Nations and squeeze its way into the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other international bodies", he said.

More than 40 African leaders and representatives from the continent will converge on Beijing for the Africa-China Summit set for 3-5 November to discuss China's expanding influence in Africa as well as how the continent can benefit from this relationship