Ex-ambassador says Sino-African relationship misunderstood in West

China doesn't have the will or ability to exercise monopoly control over Africa's development, a senior Chinese diplomat said.

It instead wants to cooperate with Western and emerging economies to contribute to the continent's long-term prosperity, said Liu Guijin, former Chinese ambassador to South Africa and Zimbabwe.

"China isn't about to take over Africa," Liu said. "It's instead going to give it more choices and make a real contribution to its development."