A former president of Mozambique, Joaquim Chissano, has been appointed to the chair of the international consultative committee of the new China-Africa Institute, O País reports.

The Mozambican newspaper quotes Mr Chissano as saying the institute will enhance Sino-African relations, and may increase Sino-African trade and increase co-operation and exchanges in areas such as security.

Separately, Xinhua reports that the China-Africa Institute was inaugurated in a ceremony in Beijing this week.

The Chinese state-run news agency says the establishment of the institute is one outcome of a Sino-African summit meeting in Beijing last year.

It says the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences is the main backer of the institute.

The institute will do research into Sino-African relations, arrange Sino-African exchanges, facilitate Sino-African communication and give training courses, Xinhua says.