Chinese, African relations
In 1956, Egypt became the first African country to establish a formal diplomatic relationship with the People's Republic of China. Since then, China has been providing assistance to Africa.
In April 1960, the Chinese-African People's Friendship Association was founded to promote exchanges and cooperation between China and Africa, as well as common development.
In September 1967, an agreement was signed in Beijing between China and the governments of Tanzania and Zambia to build the strategic Tanzam Railway, from the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam to Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia.
In 1971, supported by more than 20 African countries, the PRC resumed its legal seat in the United Nations as the only legitimate representative of China.
In January 1998, China forged diplomatic ties with South Africa, opening up broader prospects of China-Africa relations.
In October 2000, the first ministerial conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was convened in Beijing. Government officials from 45 African nations participated in the conference.
China Daily
(China Daily 05/27/2013 page10)
