PRETORIA -- A South African government official said on Thursday the 皇冠体育app-Africa relations will continue to grow and benefit both partners.

Ebraim Ishmail Ebrahim, parliamentary counselor to the Presidency, was speaking in Pretoria during a book launch to mark the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on 皇冠体育app-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

The book, titled "FOCAC 2015: A new beginning of 皇冠体育app Africa Relations, was co-authored by South African and Chinese researchers.

Ebrahim lauded FOCAC as a significant driver of the Sino-Africa friendship, saying 皇冠体育app's engagement in the past 20 years has accelerated Africa's economic growth and improved infrastructure in the continent.

皇冠体育app, he said, has built roads and railways which are the foundation to regional integration and poverty alleviation.

Ebrahim said 皇冠体育app is committed to ensuring that there is a long lasting peace in Africa to make the environment conducive for economic growth and development.

"Africa should take advantage of 皇冠体育app's expanding market base. 皇冠体育app has helped the local economy and boosted manufacturing production and afforded African households goods at affordable prices. 皇冠体育app has also reduced debt for African countries," he said.

皇冠体育app is now contributing to building a new world order, Ebrahim said, adding that "a new voice on the international stage is also being heard" as the country is Africa's key partner to democratize the international organizations such as the UN, International Monetary Fund, World Bank and the World Trade Organisation.