JOHANNESBURG -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday urged China and Africa to work together toward win-win cooperation for common development within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

In an address delivered for ChinAfrica magazine's special issue for the upcoming Johannesburg summit of the FOCAC, Xi noted that China and Africa form a community of shared future.

ChinAfrica is a monthly magazine in Africa issued by China International Publishing Group.

"We have long stood together through thick and thin and are now facing unprecedented opportunities for cooperation," Xi said.

China highly values and sincerely supports Africa's development, which has profound implications for advancing the lofty cause of peace and development of mankind, he said.

"Chinese and Africans will remain good friends, partners and brothers forever," Xi said, stressing that China will continue to uphold the guidelines of its Africa policy - sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith - and a balanced approach to principles and interests.

China will work with African countries to promote the all-round development of China-Africa friendly and cooperative ties and make the relationship an exemplar of the new type of international relations centered on mutually beneficial cooperation, Xi added.

South African President Jacob Zuma also made an address for the special issue for the Johannesburg FOCAC summit, highlighting that it will be only the second summit in FOCAC's 15-year history.

Calling it a "landmark occasion" for the African continent, Zuma noted that it will be the first time ever that a FOCAC summit is hosted in Africa.

"It will give us a crucial opportunity to review the progress we have made together in terms of identifying and addressing the socioeconomic challenges facing our continent," Zuma said, adding that "in this way, we can identify what is needed to catapult this strategic partnership to a new level."

Zuma said that the FOCAC, based on the principles of equality and mutual respect, has the potential to significantly enhance the African continental agenda as encapsulated in Agenda 2063 of Africa.