A friend in need is a friend indeed. Before Zhou headed to Ghana in January 1964, an assassination attempt injured President Kwame Nkrumah and killed his chief bodyguard. China's delegation faced the dilemma of whether to go as planned or not. Nkrumah assumed that Zhou would not come. However, Zhou insisted on going as scheduled, saying he could not cancel this meeting just because of the temporary difficulties encountered by Ghana and it was neither supportive nor respectful to Nkrumah not to go. For the safety of his host, Zhou further demanded the forgoing of all the usual diplomatic protocols. Zhou's consideration and thoughtfulness touched Nkrumah, who gave Zhou a warm and excited hug when they met. In Ghana, Zhou proposed the Eight Principles of China's Assistance to African Countries, which emphasized that China would never consider its foreign aid as a unilateral grant, but rather a mutual and reciprocal process from which China also benefits, that China would respect the sovereignty of the recipient country, and that the purpose of China's assistance is to support the self-reliance and independence of African countries.

In Mali, when Zhou was enthusiastically imitating a cheerful and vigorous local dance, President Modibo Keita told Zhou that, in Africa, singing and dancing are an indispensable part of life. In their meetings, Zhou shared with Keita China's experiences on governance and economic development, which covered the capacity building of the governing party, the elimination of the residues of colonialism and the importance of safeguarding economic independence. There were many other touching stories during Zhou's visits to the other countries. Wherever he went, he could vividly feel the warmth, friendship, hospitality and trust of Africans toward him and China.

The principles and policies elaborated by Zhou during this trip have since been faithfully implemented by Chinese governments, and the respect and intimacy shown by Zhou toward the Africans he met reflect the mode that has characterized the interaction between China and Africa.

Zhou's visit to 10 African countries defined China's approach to engaging with Africa, which will never fundamentally change. President Xi Jinping said in 2013 that China's policy toward Africa was characterized by four key words, namely, zhen (truth), shi (concreteness), qin (closeness) and cheng (sincerity); and that China and Africa have a shared history and common destiny. Today, we are still enjoying the benefits of Zhou's groundbreaking journey to Africa. We should uphold that legacy and do everything possible to prolong the friendship between Africa and China.

The author is a researcher with the China Institute of International Studies.