BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday said important progress has been made in realizing China-Africa new type of strategic partnership, thanks to the joint efforts of both sides.

Hu made the remarks when addressing the opening ceremony of the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation at the Great Hall of the People.

Hu said China and Africa have enhanced all-round friendly political relations featuring mutual respect and mutual trust. The two sides have conducted more frequent high-level exchanges of visits and more in-depth dialogue and exchanges, and provided stronger support to each other. China's relations with all African countries, the African Union (AU) and other regional organizations have grown in strength. China has formed strategic partnerships and launched strategic dialogue mechanisms with many African countries. And China has supported African countries in independently resolving hotspot issues in the region and advancing the process of African integration.

He said China and Africa have deepened practical economic cooperation featuring mutual benefit. The two sides have joined hands to fight the international financial crisis, effectively implemented the eight measures for practical cooperation announced at the Beijing Summit and eight additional measures announced at the Fourth Ministerial Conference, and made steady progress in building a framework of all-round cooperation.

According to Hu, China's trade with and investment in Africa have been expanding. In 2011, the two-way trade reached 166.3 billion U.S. dollars, three times the figure in 2006. Cumulative Chinese direct investment in Africa has exceeded 15 billion U.S. dollars, with investment projects covering 50 countries. The AU Conference Center and Office Complex built by China was handed over to the African side. China's assistance to Africa has been growing steadily. China has built over 100 schools, 30 hospitals, 30 anti-malaria centers and 20 agricultural technology demonstration centers in Africa. It has met the pledge of providing 15 billion U.S. dollars of lending of a preferential nature to Africa.

Hu said China and Africa have conducted increasing people-to-people and cultural exchanges featuring mutual learning. A number of activities have been carried out, including the Chinese/African Cultures in Focus, Joint Research and Exchange Plan, Think Tanks Forum, People's Forum and Young Leaders Forum. China has trained close to 40,000 African personnel in various sectors and provided over 20,000 government scholarships to African countries. China and Africa have set up 29 Confucius Institutes or Classrooms in 22 African countries. Twenty pairs of leading Chinese and African universities have entered into cooperation under the 20+20 Cooperation Plan for Chinese and African Institutions of Higher Education.

Hu added that China and African have enjoyed closer ties of solidarity and coordination featuring mutual help and mutual support in international affairs. The two sides have worked closely on UN reform, countering climate change, sustainable development, WTO Doha Round negotiations and other major issues. In so doing, we have upheld the common interests of developing countries, promoted democracy in international relations, and we are working to make the international order more just and equitable.