China's new leadership, to be chosen by the 18th National Congress of the CPC, will almost certainly accelerate the pace of comprehensive cooperation between China and Africa, says an article in Nigerian newspaper Vanguard. Excerpts:

The CPC founded the People's Republic of China after a bloody and long struggle that ended foreign domination and local feudal oppression. Through revolution, reconstruction and reform, the CPC transformed a backward nation into an economic powerhouse.

The congress will deliberate on key issues that will sustain the momentum of growth and development leading up to 2020, when China is expected to become a fairly prosperous nation.

In the past 10 years, under the leadership of President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao, almost all Chinese people have been covered by medical insurance, the most comprehensive health insurance scheme in the world.

Among Hu's most enduring legacy may well be his socialist countryside program, under which the bulk of rural China was opened up and transformed into shining cities with efficient infrastructure and facilities. The congress will pay tribute to Hu as a great innovator, who has ensured that the fruits of economic growth reach all Chinese people.

China's new leadership is most likely to follow Hu's tradition of innovation and creativity.

The People's Republic of China has had relations with Africa even since its establishment in 1949, especially its solidarity with the continent in its fight against colonialism. In contemporary times, especially after the establishment of the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation in 2000, Sino-African relations have made rapid progress to reach new heights.

China has become Africa's largest trading partner, and Chinese presence in Africa and African presence in China, especially in the coastal city of Guangzhou, have become a key feature of dynamic cooperation alongside formal diplomatic relations. Today, China's Africa policy has become a major component of its foreign policy and diplomatic global outlook.