China will work together with African countries to give full play to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), a senior official said before leaving for the 6th FOCAC senior official meetings in Egypt.

"Promoting the China-Africa new type strategic partnership serves as the common aspiration of the two sides," Xu Jinghu, director-general of the Department of African Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency.

"The two sides had achieved a comprehensive consensus under the FOCAC framework, which was symbolized as a banner leading the friendship development."

Xu, also secretary-general of the Secretariat of the Chinese Follow-up Committee of the forum, put forward five suggestions to fully display the FOCAC's leading role in China-Africa ties.

First, China will make efforts to maintain the good momentum of high-level exchange, while continuing to enhance dialogue and negotiations with the African members to cement mutual understanding and trust.

Second, it will strengthen the two sides' cooperation in economic and social development, with an emphasis on implementing eight measures for China-Africa practical cooperation, which was announced by President Hu Jintao at the Beijing Summit of the FOCAC in November 2006.

China will also outline the key areas of cooperation in the future, and pay more attention to people's livelihood in Africa, Xu said.

In addition, the country will keep a close eye on the forum's sustainable development, where both sides need to increase cooperation in various areas and at more levels.

The last point she expressed was to improve the mechanism of the forum to adapt to today's international situation, and make efforts to make full use of the present mechanism.

China will always abide by the principles of sincerity and friendliness, equality, mutual support and common development in contacts with African countries, Xu said.

The FOCAC was jointly proposed and established by China and more than 40 African countries in 2000.

The sixth FOCAC senior official meeting is in Cairo on Oct. 18-19.

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2008)