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Wen meets African leaders on ties, cooperation

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-11-09 20:16

SHAMM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao discussed bilateral ties and cooperation with several African leaders on the sidelines of the fourth ministerial meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which opened on Sunday at the Egyptian tourist resort.

Wen held separate talks on Sunday with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, President of the Central Africa Republic Francois Bozize, Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Ghanaian Vice President John Dramani Mahama and President of the Gabonese National Assembly Guy Nzouba Ndama.

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During the talks, Wen said China committed itself to consolidating solidarity and strengthening cooperation with the African countries, and was willing to work jointly with them to put into practice all cooperative measures to boost common development and advance China-Africa relations.

The African leaders spoke highly of the eight new measures China had announced during the meeting to strengthen China-Africa cooperation in the next three years, saying these measures would be significant in Africa's coping with global challenges such as the financial crisis and climate change, and in its striving for sustainable development.

They also recognized China, through its practical actions to help and support Africa's development, as a sincere friend and partner of the continent.

When meeting with the Ugandan president, Wen said both sides had always based the development of their relations on mutual respect and help. And China appreciated Uganda's firm support for the protection of China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China was willing to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in major fields of importance to the east African country, Wen said.

Museveni expressed gratitude for China's support and assistance to the development of Uganda over the long run. The Ugandan president also invited more Chinese enterprises to invest in his country.

Wen told the president of the Central Africa Republic that their countries' economies were highly complementary and there would be huge potential for cooperation.

Both sides should promote communication and negotiation, and make a good selection of major projects so as to steadily advance practical cooperation, Wen said.

Bozize said the Central Africa Republic was confident in cooperating with China and hoped the forum would serve as an opportunity to expand his country's cooperation with China.

The Chinese premier described China and Tanzania as "all-weather friends" when meeting with the Tanzanian president.

Wen said China cherished the traditional friendship with Tanzania, and wished to continue high-level exchanges and deepen practical cooperation with Tanzania to better coordinate with each other in international and regional affairs and further boost bilateral relations.

Kikwete hailed the sound basis for the development of bilateral ties. Cooperation with China had truly benefited the Tanzanian people and the country was looking forward to more investment from China, he said.

Wen extended appreciation to Kagame's long-term support to China-Africa cooperation when meeting with the Rwandan president.

China was willing to promote bilateral trade and investment with Rwanda, developing projects that are closely related to people's livelihood, Wen said, adding China would also help train talented Rwandans and bring better economic and social benefits to bilateral cooperation.

Kagame said Rwanda wished to carry out exchanges and cooperation with China in such key areas as agriculture, infrastructure construction and education.

When meeting with the Ghanaian vice president, Wen hailed the carefully nurtured and time-weathered relations between China and Ghana, and expressed Beijing's wish to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties with Kigali, which is set to come next year, as a chance to bring friendly cooperation to a new height.

Mahama also spoke highly of the friendship between the two peoples, and looked forward to strengthened high-level exchanges and practical cooperation with China.

In his meeting with the Gabonese National Assembly chief, the Chinese premier said Gabon was a close friend and important partner of China in Africa. China would like to work with the country's new government to forge ahead while inheriting the traditions of the past to further develop bilateral ties.

Ndama said the Gabonese people always saw China as a great friend. He also pledged efforts of the new government to carry on the traditional friendship, the principle of mutual respect and close cooperation with China.