With the rapid development of China-Africa and China-Russia relations in recent years, the high-level exchange visits between China and African countries and Russia have also increased accordingly. Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), will travel to Africa and Russia in mid-September in the latest of these exchange visits. In a written interview with Beijing Review and ChinAfrica, Fu Ying, Chairwoman of the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee, shared her views on some of the benefits and challenges facing these relations and the role of Chairman Zhang's visit in continuing to develop these ties. Full text of this interview follows:

Several of China's top leaders have visited Africa this year. Chairman Zhang Dejiang will soon join this growing list. What message will his visit send to Africa and what will be some of the highlights?

(XINHUA)

Fu Ying: Chairman Zhang's visit to Africa is important for China's diplomatic efforts on the continent in the wake of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit in March this year. This indicates the great importance China's new leadership attaches to Sino-African relations and China's positive attitude in enhancing mutual understanding and cooperation.

China and African countries enjoy deep traditional friendship. China's ongoing progress in its reform and opening up and the African continent's accelerated rate of development offer greater spaces and opportunities for China-Africa cooperation. This can be seen in the following aspects:

First, the convergence of economic interests between China and Africa is expanding. In 2009, China emerged as Africa's largest trade partner, with both sides showing increased demands of trade and investment.

Second, communication channels have become increasingly diversified. Besides exchanges on government levels, people-to-people contacts are also growing. Based on the all-round development in bilateral relations, China and Africa have developed sound coordination and cooperation in a multilateral framework.

Third, there is no great divergence between China and Africa and we regard each other's success as our respective development opportunities. More importantly, China's success is an inspiration to African countries and serves as a great motivator.

These factors have provided additional avenues in further developing Sino-African relations, enabling Sino-African cooperation to shift into the fast lane and make prominent achievements in various fields. Of course, with the increase of bilateral cooperation and diversification of players, new challenges and requirements also emerge, which we should deal with jointly.

While visiting Africa in March, President Xi said that developing Sino-African relations is an ongoing process that will never stop. But how to develop this relationship in accordance with the era changes is a new challenge to be faced. During his visit, Chairman Zhang will focus on the new situations and needs for developing China-Africa relations. On the one hand, he will convey the message of China's eternal friendship and constant concern about Africa; while on the other hand, he will earnestly listen to the opinions and suggestions of African state leaders and show the positive attitude of China's new legislature toward cooperation with Africa.

Chairman Zhang's visit to Uganda will be the first time for a top leader of China's legislature to set foot in this country for the past 51 years after the establishment of diplomatic relations. His agenda mainly includes: meeting with Ugandan leaders, a talk with Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, Speaker of Ugandan Parliament, and visiting the office building of the Ugandan Government, which is constructed with China's aid.

The second leg of Zhang's Africa visit takes him to Nigeria. This year has been an important one for China-Nigeria bilateral relations. In July, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan came to China for a state visit and he proposed and discussed many suggestions and ideas in enhancing bilateral cooperation. Chairman Zhang will meet President Jonathan to discuss cooperation while sharing sentiments of friendship between our two countries. He will also meet with David Mark, President of the Senate, and Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively, as well as Bamanga Tukur, National Chairman of the People's Democratic Party. During his stay in Nigeria, Zhang will attend a series of cultural activities, such as the opening ceremony of the Chinese Cultural Center, "Experience China" activity and premiere of a Hausa-dubbed TV play series Beijing Love Story.