Mozambican President Armando Guebuza has said that China's increasing interest in Africa is " very welcome," dismissing criticisms that Beijing is only interested in gaining access to the continent's vast natural resources.

According to a report de Portuguese agency Lusa on Tuesday from Maputo, capital of Mozambique, speaking at a meeting on Africa- China cooperation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Guebuza said Maputo-Beijing cooperation "has resulted in dividends for both parties."

Guebuza rejected charges that China's drive for closer ties with Africa was primarily driven by a desire for minerals and oil, and said Beijing has delivered on its development aid pledges, while traditional cooperation partners "have not honored their commitments to Africa."

The report said, under the terms of China's Africa policy paper for development cooperation with Africa unveiled this month, the continent is eligible for financial assistance totaling some 8 billion euros (about 9.7 billion dollars).

It added, China is already the sixth largest foreign investor in Mozambique, pumping in 4.6 million euros (5.56 million dollars) to the southeast African state in 2005, according to official figures. Two-way commerce between the countries was worth 125 million euros (about 151 million dollars) last year.

The report also said that China has also funded the building of a new parliament and foreign office buildings in Maputo, as well as the country's biggest indoor auditorium, the Joaquim Chissano Conference Center.

Source: Xinhua