Commerce Minister Bo Xilai on Monday retorted accusations that China's cooperation with Africa is a practice of "new colonialism", saying the African people will never welcome colonists to plunder their resources.

"Some African leaders believe it is China's entry into Africa and China's increasing trade with the continent that have helped some African resources show their true market values," said the minister at a press conference held here on the sidelines of the national legislature's annual full session.

"This means that things have changed now in Africa because the Chinese are there doing some normal and rational deals and offering reasonable market prices," said the minister.

Trade and economic cooperation between China and Africa has been growing rapidly in recent years, which culminated in the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held last November.

At the Beijing Summit, President Hu Jintao announced the Chinese government's eight steps to forge a new type of China- Africa strategic partnership, which include doubling its 2006 assistance to Africa in three years, providing US$3 billion of preferential loans and US$2 billion of preferential buyer's credits to Africa in three years, and setting up a China-Africa development fund of US$5 billion to encourage Chinese companies to invest in Africa.

"China did all this out of sincerity, as well as the friendly feelings and sentiments it has developed toward Africa over the past decades," Bo said.

But some people have criticized China, saying that China's operation in Africa is only for resources and Chinese loans have put new debt burdens on Africa, and accusing China of pursuing " new colonialism" in Africa.

Refuting criticism on China's oil cooperation with African countries, Bo said that statistics show China's share of Africa's total oil export last year only stood at 8.7 percent, compared with 36 percent for Europe and 33 percent for the United States.

"If an 8.7-percent share could be suspected as an act of plundering resources, then what about 36 percent and 33 percent?" he asked.

(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2007)