Chinese leader Xi Jinping has met with the current chair of the African Union here in Beijing.

As CRI's Su Yi reports, political observers are suggesting both sides are looking to adjust their communication strategies to fit the changing political and economic realities.

The talks between Xi Jinping and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma come following the fifth China-AU strategic dialogue in Beijing.

Xi Jinping has issued a statement, promising China will continue to support the development of Africa.

The Chinese leader says China will remain as a reliable friend and faithful partner of African countries, saying China always regards the Africa Union as a reliable strategic partner.

Xi Jinping has also told Dlamini-Zuma the common development of China and Africa is important for the developing world and helps to make international relations more democratic.

For her part, Dlamini-Zuma says China is an important strategic partner in Africa's push for modernization and sustainable development.

The AU chief is also vowing more cooperation with the Chinese side.

Qu Xing, director of China Institute of International Studies, says the relations between China and the African continent is changing.

"The economic ties between China and Africa have shifted from the previous one-way aid to common development. Some African partners may not be used to the fact."

Qu Xing also says the new generation of African leaders may have different views with their predecessors toward China.

Qu Xing is suggesting apart from maintaining the traditional Sino-African relationship, China needs to strengthen its communication with opposition parties on the African Continent.

"The non-interference policy limited China's communication with opposition parties in the past. That was under the political background at that time. African countries are multi-partied and diversified, which definitely requires China to strengthen communication with all parties to deal with the changing political landscape."

At the same time, Qu Xing is calling on the Chinese companies doing business in Africa to become more socially responsible.

For CRI, I'm Su Yi.