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Hu's 5-nation tour declared a success

By Li Xing (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-02-19 07:43

President Hu Jintao "accomplished what he set out to" on his five-nation "journey of friendship and cooperation" that began on Feb 10, cementing and deepening the friendly relations between China and the other nations.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi made the statement while meeting with reporters who traveled with the president to Saudi Arabia, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania and Mauritius. Hu returned to Beijing yesterday.

The adverse effect of the global financial crisis on the developing countries has made it more important for China to converse with their Third World partners for ways to cope with the crisis, Yang said.

The foreign minister highlighted four of Hu's achievements during the visit.

First, Hu repeatedly pledged that China will continue to increase its aid to Africa, reduce tariffs and expand trade with and investment in African countries, within China's capabilities.

Hu also reassured his counterparts that China would honor the commitments it made in 2006 during the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Hu's pledge won appreciation from his Saudi and African counterparts, Yang said.

Second, Hu and the four African nations' heads of state and other leaders reached understanding on many important issues in which China and African countries can further their new strategic partnership, Yang said.

Hu also put forward guidelines to strengthen collaboration between China and Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Third, Hu's visit made new headway in securing future collaboration that will benefit China and the five countries.

In the seven days of the tour China inked some 20 bilateral agreements, covering economy and trade, investment, energy, product quality, public health, culture and infrastructure construction, in addition to augmenting such traditional areas of China-Africa collaboration as agriculture and textiles.

While encouraging more Chinese firms to invest in Africa, Hu also visited the building site of the new Mali-China Friendship Bridge in Bamako, and officially launched the opening of the new Tanzania National Stadium.

Yang pointed out all the aid projects will help improve the livelihood of the local people and strengthen these countries' abilities to develop on their own.

Finally, Yang said Hu's visit had given new impetus to people-to-people friendship.

In his meeting with Chinese embassy staff, business people and overseas Chinese at each stop, Hu encouraged them to contribute more to the development of the friendly ties between China and these countries.

(China Daily 02/19/2009 page3)