Li's visit to cement China-Angola strategic partnership(2)

He Wenping, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said such accusation cannot hold water as cooperation between China and African countries is based on mutual benefit.

China's investment to African countries has helped boost their economies, increase local tax revenues and create jobs, she said, adding that China has also introduced technologies to Africa, helped train professionals, reinforced African countries' ability of independent development and improved local people's livelihood.

According to an International Monetary Fund report, China-Africa cooperation has contributed to more than 20 percent of Africa's development. To lessen Africa's burden, China had altogether forgiven 20 billion yuan ($3.2 billion) worth of debts owed by African countries by the end of 2013.

Basilio Cassomo, an economic adviser to the Angolan president, said in an interview with Xinhua that Angolan leaders believe the safest foreign cooperation came from China, as Beijing seeks win-win situation and never imposes any preconditions on bilateral or international cooperation, nor does it try to meddle in the affairs in another country.

Angola was satisfied with and appreciated China's cooperation and its contribution to Angola's reconstruction, he said.

According to Angola's National Growth Plan 2013-2017, the country will push for the diversification of its national economy while continuing to increase investment, employment and productivity.

Moreover, Cassomo said Angola is trying to diversify its oil-dependent economy, and he believed Premier Li's visit to Luanda will usher in a new era in bilateral cooperation and inject new vigor into the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Li is currently in Nigeria for an official visit. His four-nation African tour started with Ethiopia, and will bring him to Kenya after Angola.