China and Africa will expand their role as friends to become partners on the road to common development, experts said after Chinese President Hu Jintao addressed the Nigerian parliament Thursday.

Hu appealed in his speech for the enhancement of mutual political trust between China and Africa, "which is the core content of Sino-African ties in the new international situation," said He Wenping, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Science.

China supports the desire of African to preserve their independence and sovereignty and to choose their own development path to in accordance with their domestic situation.

"Such a stance is more acceptable for African countries while some other countries are pushing for their concept of democracy in a unilateral way," He said.

In his speech, Hu Jintao stressed that China is still a developing country and such a recognition will forge greater consensus and common interest, said Xu Weizhong, director of the Africa Study in the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR).

Hu suggested that China and Africa should strengthen security cooperation and coordination on international issues and jointly preserve the interest of developing countries.

Hu Jintao also said China will push the United Nations to pay greater attention to development issues and increase the representation of developing countries including those in Africa.

China and Africa are both longing for peace and development and this common aspiration has fueled China's participation in African affairs, especially peace-keeping activities, Xu said.

China will also announce new measures to enhance Sino-African cooperation at a summit meeting scheduled for this autumn in Beijing, according to Hu.

Following his state visit to the United States, Hu began a four-nation tour on Saturday, to Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Nigeria and Kenya.

Visiting the United States and the four nations on one tour was a clear message to the rest of the world, said He.

"That is, as the largest developing country in the world, China takes the strengthening and development of traditional friendly ties and co-operation with developing nations as a major part of its diplomatic policies."

Source: Xinhua