The undated photo shows the flags of China and the Republic of Kenya, a country in Africa. [Photo: czgu.com]

China's Commerce Ministry says the country's economic and trade cooperation with Africa has reached new heights in the last 15 years.

Ministry spokesman Shen Danyang says bilateral cooperation now covers more areas.

"China-Africa cooperation has covered industry, finance, tourism, telecommunications, aviation, broadcast and television. More and more Chinese enterprises are focusing on the African market and will make greater contributions to Africa's development."

Shen believes the upcoming forum between the two sides will provide an historic opportunity for deepening bilateral cooperation.

"It will open a new blueprint for developing the economic and trade relations between China and Africa, and will inject new impetus into their economic development."

China is Africa's largest trading partner. Two-way trade reached 220 billion U.S dollars last year, 21 times the amount in 2000.

China's direct investment in Africa reached 30 billion dollars last year, increasing 37 percent annually on average over the past 15 years.