China has established education exchange and cooperation relations with 50 African countries, said China's Education Minister Zhou Ji at the Sino-African Education Minister Forum in Beijing on Nov.27 (Sunday).

Zhou said that China provides about 1,200 government scholarships to African students every year, which is the most important way to train professionals for African countries. By theend of 2004, a total of 17,860 scholarships had been granted to students from 50 African countries.

So far, China has dispatched 530 professional teachers to 33 African countries to assist them in developing higher and middle school education.

Moreover, through nearly 60 assistance programs, China has helped 25 African countries to develop disadvantaged disciplines and train science and technological talents, according to Zhou.

The Sino-African Education Minister Forum, with the participation of education ministers from 17 African countries, isa follow-up action of the Sino-African Cooperation Forum and a newattempt of multilateral cooperation in education.

The forum centers on the theme of "strategy for educational development in China and African countries and international exchange and cooperation".