2016年CRI No competition between China and Western countries in Africa: Vice FM（在线收听）

Chinese vice-Foreign Minister Zhang Ming briefs the media in Beijing on the forthcoming session on July 29.

He says the sessions will be focused on how Chinese and African countries can partner together.

"African states and African people have the full right to choose their own cooperation partners, as well as pick the way forward in their international cooperation goals. We support the diversified goals of our African partners."

The comments come amid suggestions Africa has become the latest version of the "Great Game," a late 19th, early 20th century competition between England and Russia for influence over Central Asia.

In refuting the suggestion, Zhang Ming says China is not interested in a competition in Africa.

Instead, he says the meetings next Friday are meant to formalize areas of mutual interest for both China and the 52 different African nations due to be represented at the session in Beijing.

"A joint declaration is expected to sum up the results of the summit and its significance and the progress in materializing previous summit results. The document will also elaborate on the Chinese and African concepts about cooperation in promoting the latest summit results."

December's Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Johannesburg, South Africa adopted an action plan for further cooperation between China and Africa in the coming 3 years.

Meanwhile, Zhang Ming expresses China's commitment to peacekeeping efforts in Africa, including South Sudan.

"Two Chinese peacekeepers were killed and five others were injured in South Sudan recently, and this shows Chinese people and government's great sacrifice in safeguarding peace in Africa and around the world. We will remember these martyrs forever."

The Chinese soldiers, operating under the United Nations flag, were in an armoured vehicle which was hit by a mortar round while protecting a UN refugee camp in South Sudan's capital, Juba.

Three Chinese soldiers have been killed so far this year while working as peacekeepers in Africa.

The other died in an assault on a United Nations outpost in Mali at the end of May.

For CRI, I'm Xie Cheng.

Chinese vice Foreign Minister Zhang Ming speaks at a press briefing in Beijing on July 22, 2016. [Photo: Chinanews.com]