BEIJING -- The cooperation between China and Africa is mutually beneficial and aims to achieve win-win outcome, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Thursday.

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Media reports quoted South African President Thabo Mbeki as saying that Africa must guard against becoming a mere raw material supplier for China.

When asked to comment on this report, Qin said he did not know in what context Mbeki made his comments, but Mbeki has said in the past that South Africa wants to strengthen cooperation with China.

"I don't understand why some people and countries are so worried about the development of ties between China and Africa," he said.

"I can tell these people that times have changed, the global current has changed and no forces can obstruct the trend of closer cooperation between China and Africa," Qin added.