Countries on the African continent must not forget their partnerships with developed countries such as China, former president Thabo Mbeki said on Wednesday.

Addressing media and guests at the launch of a peer review on the first eight years of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) Mbeki said Africans needed to inform themselves of their reality and the benefits of their partnerships and not become victim to "untruths".

"It is quite clear that for whatever reason there are many countries that are feeling quite shaky by China's presence.

"Wouldn't it be very, very wise for the a continent to say let us maintain, strengthen and sustain these particular relations we've had with China.

"We believe untruths about ourselves — let's take our destiny into our hands understanding what the objective reality is, not false images."

Mbeki said the book, titled 'Prospects for Democracy and Development under Nepad', was the first step in analysing the successes and challenges.

Sapa

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