ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- China will lose no time in implementing the "eight new measures" to strengthen China-Africa cooperation in the next three years, said China's Minister of Commerce Chen Deming on Tuesday.

    The fourth ministerial meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was held in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Nov. 8-9. At the meeting, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao announced eight new measures the Chinese government will take to strengthen China-Africa cooperation in the next three years.

    The success of the Sharm el-Sheikh meeting has opened a new page for China-Africa cooperation, Chen said during his talks with Erastus Mwencha, deputy chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU).

    China will focus on improving African people's well-being, strengthening Africa's agriculture and infrastructure and expanding cooperation in human resources development, he said.

    China will support Africa to increase its capacity for independent development, and join hands with Africa in tackling such challenges as the global financial crisis and climate change, in a bid to promote China-Africa friendly cooperation and Africa's economic and social development, said the Chinese minister.

    Chen appreciated the AU's efforts to further Africa's integration process and develop China-Africa cooperation, saying China will continue to strengthen all-round cooperation with the AU, and support the AU to play a bigger role in regional and international affairs.

    For his part, Mwencha said Africa and China respect each other and treat each other on an equal footing, adding that bilateral ties have stood the test of the time.

    He believed the Sharm el-Sheikh meeting will further promote the development of cooperation between Africa and China.

    China's eight new measures to enhance cooperation with Africa are consistent to Africa's practical needs, said the AU official.

    Mwencha said the AU Commission is willing to play a bigger role in implementing the eight new measures and enhance dialogue between Africa and China.

    Chen arrived here on Monday for a working visit, which will also take him to Mozambique and Tanzania.