Developing China-Africa ties serves the needs of both sides and has brought tangible benefits to both the Chinese people and the African people, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told Xinhua here on Saturday.
　　China is a good old friend of African countries and the China-Africa friendship enjoys immense popular support, said Yang, who was ending a four-nation African trip.
　　The excellent prospects for China-Africa relations are the result of the unremitting efforts of several generations on the part of both sides, he said.
　　China and Africa had similar bitter historical experiences and now face the common tasks of development, the Chinese foreign minister said.
　　China-Africa cooperation has not only boosted their common development, but has also been instrumental in raising international attention on the African continent and bringing more input from the international community, he said.
　　It is natural that some problems are arising in the fast growing China-Africa ties, Yang said, adding that it is without doubt that the two sides can find proper solutions to these problems through consultations on an equal footing.
　　When asked to comment on the changes in Africa in the past year, Yang said that Africa as a whole has maintained peace and stability and enjoyed relatively fast economic growth.
　　The process of integration on the continent was speeding up and regional organizations such as the African Union have played an increasingly important role in maintaining regional peace and stability, he said.
　　In addition, African countries have taken an active part in world affairs and the international community has attached greater importance to Africa, he said.
　　South Africa is the last leg of Yang's four-nation African tour, which has also taken him to Uganda, Rwanda and Malawi.