A visiting senior Chinese diplomat said in London on Friday that the cooperation between China and African countries was not an exclusive relationship, but an "open and transparent" one.

Liu Guijin, special representative of the Chinese government to Darfur issue, attends a news conference held at the Chinese Embassy in London, Britain, February 21, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

China has followed two principles - "treating others as equals and pursuing win-win cooperation," to maintain good and long relationship with Africa in a changing world, said Liu Guijin, special representative of the Chinese government on the Darfur issue, when giving an address at the Royal Institute of International Studies, a London-based think tank.

For more than half a century, the friendship and cooperation between China and African countries had been growing in a sound and smooth way, said Liu, who visited London on February 21-23 for talks with British officials on Darfur issue.