The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is on the right path and has a bright future, a Cape Verdean diplomat said here on Sunday.

"The positive effects of the forum are obvious. For example, trade between China and African nations has risen dramatically since 2000," Julio De Morais, Cape Verdean Ambassador to China, told Xinhua by telephone.

Launched in October 2000, the forum, currently with 50 member states, was designed as a platform for collective consultation and dialogue. In the forum's summit of 2006, Chinese President Hu Jintao announced a package of proposals to provide assistance, increase investment, and enhance trade cooperation with Africa, seeking to build a new type of strategic partnership.

According to China's Commerce Ministry, China-Africa trade rose at an average annual rate of 33.6 percent between 2000 and 2008. "Future growth will be more speedy," De Morais said.

The ambassador said Cape Verde attaches importance to cultural exchanges with China, citing as an example the involvement of Cesaria Evora -- Cape Verde's legendary singer who performed at Shanghai Expo.

"Cape Verde has been playing an active role in the forum. Cesaria's visit will enhance the culture exchange between China and Cape Verde. I am the Cape Verdean Ambassador to China, and Cesaria is the Cape Verdean Ambassador to the whole world because music has no boundaries," De Morais said.