China and African countries enjoy close political relations and frequent high level exchanges. Chinese leaders, including Jiang Zemin, Li Peng, Zhu Rongji, Li Ruihuan, and Hu Jintao have made trips to African countries in recent years. Since 1997, nearly 30 heads of state or heads of government from African countries have visited China. There are also extensive exchanges between Chinese and African parliaments and parties. Both sides strengthen consultation, support each other in international affairs, especially on a series of major issues such as human rights, safeguard the legitimate rights of developing countries and make efforts to promote the establishment of a new just and rational international political and economic order.
African countries support China's great course of unification.
Most African countries firmly adhere to the One China Policy. In order to strengthen consultation and cooperation, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has established consultation mechanisms at the ministerial level with Foreign Ministries from over a dozen African countries. China has provided great amount of unselfish aide to African countries since their independence to help them develop national economy and promote social development, which yielded good results and won appraise of African countries and people. The Chinese government actively explores new ways, new channels and new areas in Sino-African economic and trade cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. While continuing to provide possible economic assistance without any political conditions attached, China actively encourages and supports the establishment of direct links between the Chinese and African companies and enterprises in their cooperation of mutual benefit, including joint venture cooperation on projects of Chinese aide.