China on Saturday vowed joint efforts with African countries to make planned China-Africa summit in November a "grand" and "pragmatic" gathering.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing made the remarks at a reception held by the Foreign Ministry for African diplomats in Beijing on Saturday.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and African countries. Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao visited ten African countries this year and reached broad consensus with the leaders there on the promotion of China-Africa cooperation, Li noted.

China will host the third ministerial meeting of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum this November. Li said leaders from China and Africa will discuss establishing and developing new China-Africa strategic partnerships.

He congratulated the participants on the success of the seventh African Union (AU) summit in Gambia's capital Banjul on July 1-2, adding China will continue to support AU's efforts in promoting the peace and development of Africa.

Nolana Ta Ama, Togo's ambassador to China as well as head of African diplomatic missions, expressed appreciation for China's support and assistance for Africa's national independence, peace and development.

He also spoke highly of China's policies that have facilitated all-round China-Africa friendship within the framework of China-Africa Cooperation Forum and China's African policy document which was published earlier this year.

Source: Xinhua