Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Saturday stressed the need for China and Africa to boost cooperation in coping with the international financial crisis.

Yang, who who was wrapping up a visit to Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi and South Africa, pledged to continue providing assistance to African countries, saying China will not cut back on aid to Africa because of the financial crisis.

Yang noted that, during his visit, China signed economic cooperation agreements with Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi and provided new aid and preferential loans to the three countries.

China will work to expand trade and mutual investment with African countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, and help promote their capabilities for achieving sustainable growth and withstanding external economic woes, Yang said.

China will also urge the international community to honor its commitments so as to create a favorable international environment for African countries to tide over their difficulties, he said.

Yang pledged China's support for efforts to increase African countries' representation and give them a bigger say in pushing forward reforms of the global financial system.

The Chinese foreign minister said African countries hailed China's initiatives and pledged to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China in order to achieve a mutually beneficial result.

South Africa is the last leg of Yang's four-nation African tour, which has also taken him to Uganda, Rwanda and Malawi.

(Xinhua News Agency January 18, 2009)