China and Africa are establishing a new type of strategic partnership and Chinese premier's upcoming visit to Africa will further consolidate and develop such a relation, a Chinese official said.

The official with the Foreign Ministry said on Friday that during the visit by premier Wen Jiabao to seven African countries, several dozens of agreements of cooperation will be signed between the two sides.

The agreements will cover various fields, such as politics, economy and trade, culture, education, health, agriculture and science and technology, according to the official. Wen will pay official visits to Egypt, Ghana, the Republic of Congo, Angola, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda from June 17 to 24.

This will be Wen's second visit to Africa since he participated in a China-Africa forum in Ethiopia in December 2003. Wen will hold talks with leaders of the seven countries and exchange views on promoting bilateral relations, according to Foreign Ministry sources.

(Xinhua News Agency June 17, 2006)