BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Political advisors called for improving China's medical assistance for African countries at a bi-weekly consultation session Thursday.

Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, chaired and addressed the meeting.

The advisors said that China should continue to help build the capacity of health systems in Africa.

Local authorities should support medical teams going to Africa by providing favorable policies and improving the living and working conditions of medical aid workers, they said.

They also suggested that traditional Chinese medicine should be promoted in Africa.

China has been providing medical assistance to Africa for more than 50 years and will continue to offer its help, according to a statement released after the meeting.