BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Experts and scholars from Africa lauded the great importance President Xi Jinping attaches to China's ties with the continent, saying a newly established institute will contribute greatly to the development of bilateral ties.

Upon the inauguration on Tuesday of the China-Africa Institute, Xi reiterated in a congratulatory letter the time-honored friendship between China and Africa and the global significance of their relations.

He urged the institute to draw on academic resources from both sides, enhance mutual understanding and friendship, and provide ideas and advice for China-Africa cooperation.

Hoze Riruako, a political analyst and political science lecturer at the University of Namibia, said Xi attaches great importance to the establishment of the China-Africa Institute.

Recalling the two sides' joint decision to build a closer China-Africa community with a shared future, Riruako said the new body will help increase people-to-people exchanges and consolidate bilateral connections across various fields.

"China and Africa have enjoyed a time-honored friendship between the people," said one expert from Kenya, Adhere Cavince, referencing what Xi said in the letter.

He expressed hope that the institute will serve as a bridge for China-Africa dialogue and cooperation, and that with people-to-people exchanges increasing, more chances will be available for African students to pursue further education in China.

Nasser Bouchiba, president of the Africa-China Cooperation Association for Development, said he believes that the institute will provide a solid foundation for the theoretical research needed to boost ties.

Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, a professor of political science and international relations at the University of Abuja in Nigeria, said the establishment of the institute is an important step toward building a closer China-Africa community with a shared future, and shows China's sincerity and determination in improving communication and understanding between the two sides.

Silas Lwakabamba, Rwanda's former minister of education, said the institute will help African think tanks deepen research on China's development and learn from China's experience, and meanwhile enable the Chinese side to better understand Africa.