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Chinese, African presidents applaud new strategic partnership

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-11-04 20:52

BEIJING, November 4 -- Chinese President Hu Jintao on Saturday afternoon held separate meetings with presidents of five African countries on the sidelines of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The five leaders are President Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia, President Armando Emilio Guebuza of Mozambique, President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, President Ely Ould Mohammed Vall of Mauritania and President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal.

The two-day summit opened in the Chinese capital Saturday morning with leaders of 48 African countries gathering at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing.

Hu extended warm welcome to the five African leaders, saying he expected to have in-depth discussions with them on the development of a new type of strategic partnership between China and Africa, sources with Foreign Ministry said.

The African leaders expressed their appreciation to China for its "precious support" to the African countries over the past decades, noting their countries hoped to strengthen cooperation with China.

On the ongoing high-profile summit, the leaders said they believed the summit will not only help boost China-Africa ties, but also improve the solidarity and development of Africa.

The African leaders also reiterated their countries' stance on the one-China policy, voicing their support for China's reunification efforts.

Earlier Saturday, Hu also met with presidents of Equatorial Guinea, Mali and Ethiopia on separate occasions.