BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Wednesday pledged to push forward the economic and trade relations between China and Africa to a new level. Wen made the remarks during a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Fourth Conference of Chinese and African Entrepreneurs. The friendly cooperation between China and Africa has not only yielded rich fruit, but also enhanced our friendship and mutual trust, which is more precious than gold, said Wen. "History has shown time and again that China and Africa are forever good friends, good partners and good brothers," the premier said. China-Africa business ties have seen exciting growth both in size and in structure, he said. According to Wen, for three years in a row, China has been Africa's biggest trading partner country; notable progress has been made in cooperation in financing, and cooperation projects launched by China better meet Africa's development needs; Chinese investment in Africa, made in increasingly diversified areas and ways, has registered strong growth. Meanwhile, we need to be aware that in the process of the rapid growth of China-Africa economic cooperation, some long-standing issues are yet to be thoroughly resolved and some new problems have emerged, said Wen. "We are working with African countries to find effective solutions to these issues," said Wen. "We have full confidence in China-Africa business cooperation, and I am sure that the future holds ever greater promise for our business ties."
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