China is eyeing the African countries of Benin, Mali, Chad and Burkina Faso to help the world's second-largest economy develop its cotton-planting operations.

A statement posted by China's Ministry of Commerce on its Web site said China will supply the seeds, machinery, fertilizer and other materials needed to help promote cotton planting in the four African nations.

The campaign, according to analysts and experts, will not only strengthen ties among the five countries, but also allow cotton trade to take place under fairer conditions in accordance with standards set by the World Trade Organization, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Training will be provided for technical and management personnel in both China and Africa, to encourage cooperation, innovation and improvement of production capabilities in the textile industry, the MOC said.

West Africa may become another source of cotton for China, which imports and consumes more of the fiber than any other country in the world.

"China's market is always open to African countries," said Commerce Minister Chen Deming.

"We have been providing African countries with aid and technical training for many years," said Du Min, director of the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture's research center for rural economy. "Further cooperation will help to improve their production capacity.

"China's decision is promoting fair cotton trade in the world. African economies will benefit from the cooperation."

During the first 11 months of 2011, China's cotton imports grew 8.4 per cent to 2.57 million tons compared a year ago, data from the General Administration of Customs showed.