Visiting President Hu Jintao yesterday called for more innovative efforts to intensify partnership with Africa after China and Nigeria signed a slew of agreements, including one awarding China four oil-drilling licences in the African country.

President Hu Jintao addresses the Nigerian National Assembly in Abuja April 27, 2006. China and Nigeria signed a slew of agreements, including one awarding China four oil-drilling licences in the African country. [Xinhua]

Hu said the partnership should cover politics, the economy, security and international affairs; and reiterated that China's growth is "not a threat" to others.

"On the contrary, it will bring more development opportunities to the world."

Addressing a joint session of Nigeria's National Assembly, Hu said: "China will continue to work with Africa to widen China-Africa co-operation and inject new vitality into it."

Hu made the remarks on the second day of a two-day visit to the most populous country in the African continent at the invitation of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Describing African nations as "good friends, good partners and good brothers" of China, Hu said more efforts are needed to build "a new type of strategic partnership in the new era."

He proposed to boost mutual trust in politics through high-level exchanges, expand win-win partnerships with increased investment and security co-operation as well as co-ordination in international affairs.

"China and Africa enjoy great complementarities in their economies," he said. "The co-operation based on mutual benefit suits the interests of both sides."

The rich resources in Africa match China's need for raw materials for sustained economic growth while African countries want to accumulate capital by developing the resources and strengthen the local economies.

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