BEIJING — China's imports of agricultural products from African countries expanded 4.4 percent year-on-year in the first 11 months of 2020, marking four consecutive years of positive growth, according to the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Jan 14.

In the first 11 months of last year, the bilateral trade volume of the two sides reached $167.8 billion, MOC spokesperson Gao Feng told a press briefing.

China's direct investment flow to Africa edged up by 0.04 percent year-on-year to $2.8 billion, while the value of new contracts for engineering projects signed by Chinese enterprises in Africa reached $55.1 billion, up 13.3 percent year-on-year, according to Gao.

China has been Africa's largest trading partner for 11 consecutive years and has become Africa's second-largest importer of agricultural products, Gao said.

The country has helped Africa build more than 6,000 kilometers of railways and highways, nearly 20 ports, more than 80 large-scale power facilities, over 130 medical institutions, 45 stadiums and 170 schools, he added.

Chinese enterprises have created more than 4.5 million jobs for Africa, he said.

China will consolidate the foundation of China-Africa cooperation, raise the level of cooperation, support Africa's development and jointly build a closer China-Africa community with a shared future with African countries, according to Gao.