Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on Wednesday said agricultural cooperation was an important part of Sino-African cooperation, urging closer agricultural links to boost the China-Africa new strategic partnership.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with a group of African delegates participating in an agriculture forum held in Beijing on Wednesday and Thursday.

Extending a warm welcome to the participants, Xi said the Chinese government and the Communist Party of China have always attached great importance to their friendly cooperation with African countries, vowing joint efforts with Africa to boost substantial cooperation.

He said China hoped the current forum would serve as a platform to deepen agricultural cooperation with Africa, facilitating party-to-party exchanges and expanding cooperation channels.

Zimbabwean Vice President Joyce Mujuru extended condolences to those affected by the recent string of rain-triggered natural disasters in China on behalf of all the African participants.

She said agriculture was an important industry for most African countries, and she hoped to help push forward Africa-China agricultural cooperation at the forum.

Kenyan Vice President Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka said his country expected to improve its agricultural production through closer exchanges and cooperation with China.

About 400 representatives from political parties, government departments and enterprises from China and Africa are attending the forum which focuses on new opportunities and challenges for China-Africa agricultural cooperation.