BEIJING -- Economic cooperation between China and Africa has contributed more than 20 percent to African countries' growth over the past 13 years, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Friday.

"Africa's economy has grown by 5 percent annually in the new century with the help of China's aid and investment," spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a daily news briefing.

Media reports have stated that Zimbabwe's Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara said it is time for Africa to stop taking a "romantic view" of China, as the Asian country has grown from a "comrade in poverty" to a global economic giant.

Hua said China-Africa cooperation is based on a realistic viewpoint.

Chinese demand has allowed Africa to recover from the international financial crisis ahead of other regions, she added.

Cooperation between China and Africa is reciprocal, as well as based on equality and mutual respect, Hua said.

China's foreign direct investment in Africa approached $20 billion by the end of 2012, with $3 billion added to the total last year, according to the Ministry of Commerce.