BEIJING, July 1 (Xinhua) -- "On international issues related to African countries, China values their opinions, supports their stances and maintains that their reasonable demands be respected," said an official in charge of African affairs in Chinese Foreign Ministry.

"China's firm support for Africa is not a makeshift," said the official, in an interview with Xinhua to comment on the presence of a Chinese governmental delegation at the seventh African Union (AU) summit as an observer.

China's presence at the AU summit, held in the Gambian capital of Banjul, was part of a series of China-Africa strategic actions this year, following visits of Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao to the continent in April and June. A summit meeting of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum is slated to be held in Beijing in November.

"The frequent high-level exchanges signified a new level of China-Africa strategic cooperation, which are increasingly demonstrated in international and regional issues," analysts said.

African countries offered generous support to China on resuming its legal status in the United Nations, thwarting Taiwan's attempt to join the World Health Organizations and other international issues.

On the UN reform, China maintains to increase the representation of the developing countries, particularly the African countries.

On the WTO negotiations, China proposes to reduce subsidies on agricultural produces, cut tariffs, and wipe out obstacles for technology transfer and other policies beneficial to African countries.

"China-Africa cooperation in regional issues has become a highlight in their strategic partnership," said He Wenping, a researcher with China Academy of Social Sciences.

China offered the AU a special donation of 400,000 US dollars respectively in 2005 and 2006 to carry the peacekeeping operations in Darfur, the west region of Sudan.

A total of 1,295 Chinese peacekeepers and 37 policemen for civilian services are joining the UN operations in Africa.

Since 2000, China has provided an annual assistance of 300,000 US dollars to the AU for its organization building. China also sent representatives to the AU and other African regional organizations.

As this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and African countries, the Chinese government issued its first-ever African policy paper early this year, putting forward its proposals for all-round cooperation with Africa in various fields in the coming years.

China's friendly gesture was warmly responded by Africa. When meeting with Li Baodong, head of the Chinese delegation to attend the AU summit in Banjul, Chairman of AU Commission Alpha Oumar Konare expressed his appreciation for China to value the AU's role and to support Africa's peace and development cause.

Of the 53 African countries, 47 countries have established diplomatic ties with China. Enditem