PRETORIA -- Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao said in the capital Wednesday that China will consolidate traditional friendship and expand practical cooperation with Africa.

Hu, who is on a eight-nation African tour, made the statement in a speech at the South Africa's prestigious University of Pretoria.

Both China and Africa are important forces for peace and development and to deepen their friendship is the shared desire of both peoples, Hu said in his speech.

"China is the biggest developing country and Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries." To deepen China-Africa traditional friendship and develop a new all-around strategic partnership in also the calling of the times, he said.

The president listed four fields in which China is ready to make joint efforts with Africa for boosting development.

China will forge friendship, maintain close political dialogue, coordination and increase mutual understanding and trust with Africa, Hu said. He added that China will remain actively involved in U.N. peacekeeping operations in Africa.

On the economic front, he said China will deepen cooperation and expand economic and technological exchanges to achieve mutual benefit and win-win progress.

"The Chinese will fully implement the policy steps announced at the Beijing Summit (of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation) for strengthening pragmatic cooperation with Africa and supporting its development," Hu pledged.

The president said China will strengthen dialogue and exchanges between the Chinese and African civilizations and make common progress through mutual learning and enrichment.

He also urged both sides to treat each other as equals and strengthen cooperation in international affairs to uphold the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

Hu arrived in South Africa after concluding visits to Cameroon, Liberia, Sudan, Zambia and Namibia. He will also visit Mozambique and Seychelles.