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China has affirmed its continued support to Africa with an assurance that its policy on the continent will not change due to changes in international and domestic financial situations.

"China's Africa policy is consistent. It will not change due to the changes in international and domestic financial situations in both China and Africa", the Director-General of the Department of African Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Mr Lu Shaye has stated.

He gave the assurance at a meeting with a group of nine senior African journalists who are taking part in the China-Africa Media Programme under the auspices of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA).

The participants, selected from Ghana, Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, Sudan, Tanzania and Zambia are to participate in training programmes and seminars to sharpen their understanding in China-Africa relations.

The Programme will also help them to understanding China by providing them with opportunities to live in China to experience and get first-hand information about China and its people.

Answering questions from the journalists, Mr Lu said China attached importance to its friendly and cooperative relationship with Africa and would continue to step up its cooperation with Africa in all fields of endeavour.

He cited the 2008 international financial crisis as an example and explained that China's assistance to Africa did not change but instead continued to deliver its assistance.

In 2009, Mr Lu stated that China delivered its promise during the 4th China-Africa Ministerial Conference held in Egypt to provide US$10 billion concessional loans within three years to African countries under packages called New Eight Measures.

Again in 2012 when the global economic situation was still within the shadow of the financial crisis and the Chinese economy was also confronted with economic slow down, China gave a promise during the 5th China-Africa Ministerial Conference to provide assistance to Africa in five areas including the financial sector.

Mr Lu stated that by September last year, the Chinese government had already provided US$10 billion out of the US$20 billion it promised as concessionary loans to Africa during the 2012 conference within three years.

"To step up the unity and cooperation with African countries has been the firm policy and strategic choice of China. Let me assure you, my African friends, China will always be Africa's reliable partner and friend", he declared.

On whether China is getting a fair deal in its relationship with Africa, Mr Lu contended that "China has benefitted a lot from our cooperation because our cooperation is for a win-win results".

He said while China had benefitted from Africa's natural resources, Africa had also benefitted a lot of including infrastructure development, which was essential to its economic development.

Mr Lu added that the prices of Africa's resources had increased in the international market as a result of China's cooperation, which had provided funding to promote Africa's development.

He stated that the presence of China in Africa had stimulated the interest of other major countries adding that before that, such countries had considered Africa as a continent of despair and hopelessness.

"But now with China's presence in Africa, these major countries have realised that Africa is a continent of limitless business opportunities. This is a promise land. So this is the meaning of China-Africa cooperation. It has created a multi win results".