BEIJING -- Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing Sunday said China's assistance to Africa doesn't contradict with the fact that China itself is a developing country.

"Cooperation between China and Africa in economy, trade and social undertakings is based on equality, mutual benefit and assistance," Li said at a press briefing following the two-day Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

On Saturday, Chinese President Hu Jintao announced a package of assistance and aid measures at the opening ceremony, including doubling its 2006 assistance to Africa by 2009, US$3 billion of preferential loans in next three years and the exemption of more debt owed by poor African countries.

Li said China and African countries are faced with both good opportunities of development and challenges. "Through cooperation, we can handle the challenges more effectively."

Recalling history, Li said, "African people have, over the years, offered precious support to China. We'd never forget the favors that friends did to us."

In 1971, China resumed its legal status in the United Nations largely due to support from the developing world, including many African countries.

Under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, China has already canceled huge debt incurred by 31 heavily indebted poor countries and least developed countries in Africa, and given zero-tariff treatment to 190 categories of import commodities from 29 African countries.