China defends cooperation with Africa

China defended its cooperation with Africa here on Monday, saying it does not hinder any third party's cooperation with Africa.

"China-Africa economic and trade cooperation is mutually beneficial and win-win, and strongly boosts the common development of the two sides," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily press briefing in response to the French finance minister's recent comments related to China-Africa cooperation.

According to media reports, France's Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici said on Saturday that French companies must fight the growing influence of China for a stake in Africa's increasingly competitive markets.

Hong stressed that China-Africa economic and trade cooperation is also "open and inclusive," which largely increases the international community's attention to, and input in, Africa.

"China welcomes more French input in Africa, and believes it will not only benefit the development of Chinese and French companies but also Africa's sustainable development," Hong said.