Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo applauded China-Africa relations on Saturday, while also vowing to back the African Union's (AU) role in African affairs.

"China highly values its ties with the AU and will continue to support the significant role played by the AU in African affairs," Dai said in his meeting with visiting AU Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

He also pledged that China will actively work to facilitate the process of African integration and development.

Calling Africa a reliable friend of China, Dai noted that Chinese people will never forget the support and help given by the African people.

"We firmly believe that Africa will remain on the right track of development, as long as African countries can remain stable and united," Dai stressed.

Dlamini-Zuma, who is?in Beijing?for the fifth China-AU strategic dialogue, spoke highly of China's contributions in promoting African peace and development, vowing to expand future cooperation with China in a bid to further development.

She is visiting China from Feb. 14-17 as a guest of the Chinese government.