BEIJING -- Chinese entrepreneurs should make efforts to help boost Sino-African relations under new circumstances, a senior diplomatic official said Tuesday.

Lu Shaye, director of the Department of African Affairs at China's Foreign Ministry, made the remarks at the first Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation held in Beijing.

Lu said Chinese entrepreneurs should continue to seize opportunities and consolidate their resolve and confidence in the development of Sino-African cooperation.

According to statistics released by the Ministry of Commerce, trade volume between China and Africa reached $166.3 billion in 2011, up 63 percent compared with that of 2009.

By the end of last year, China had invested $14.7 billion in Africa and more than 2,000 Chinese enterprises had made investments in Africa.

The first Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation received about 1,700 delegates from 40 African countries and 29 Chinese provinces and cities.

The forum is designed to boost communication and cooperation among local governments in China and Africa, as well as further expand people-to-people exchanges.

The forum is scheduled to be held every two years.