Wen, Niger PM Discuss China-Africa Co-operation

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, August 08, 2003

Wen, Niger PM Discuss China-Africa Co-operation

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Premier Wen Jiabao Thursday said he is confident that the December ministerial-level conference of the China-Africa Forum on Co-operation will push ahead the partnership of long-term stability, equality and reciprocity.

Wen made the remarks during his meeting with Niger's Prime Minister Hama Amadou.

Wen said that the second ministerial-level conference of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum is scheduled to be held this December in Ethiopia.

The meeting, following a similar one held in Beijing in 2000, will discuss new ways to strengthen Sino-African co-operation in human resources development, agriculture, infrastructure, trade and investment.

China pledged during the 2000 forum that it would remit 10 billion yuan (US$1.2 billion) of debts owed to it by some of the most debt-ridden African countries over a two-year period, believing that heavy debts are one of the factors bottlenecking the economic development of Africa.

Wen expressed belief that the meeting would promote long-term, equal and mutually beneficial partnerships between China and the African countries.

China has all along attached great importance to co-operation with Africa, said Wen, noting that such co-operation has been increasing in recent years.

China to Promote Cooperative Relations with Niger

China is ready to work with Niger to promote understanding and trust so as to advance the friendly relations of cooperation between the two countries to a new level, said Premier Wen.

The premier said China has always attached importance to its relations with Niger and the consensus reached in 2001 between Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Niger President Mamadou Tandja laid the foundation for the all-round development of Sino-Niger relations.

Sino-Niger political relations are now enjoying smooth development, the trade volumes of the two countries have increased year by year and bilateral cooperation has been fruitful in other fields, said Wen. China is satisfied with the development of the bilateral relations.

The Chinese Government is ready to join efforts with the government of Niger to continue to promote mutual understanding, mutual trust and expand cooperation so as to advance the friendly relations of cooperation to a new high, Wen said.

Wen said China supports Niger's economic development and will provide Niger with another 50 million yuan (about six million US dollars) in economic aid. The Chinese Government will encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in the African country and engage in trade and economic co-operation with it.

Wen expressed appreciation for the Niger Government's adherence to the "One China" policy and thanked the government and people of Niger for supporting the Chinese people's recent fight against severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Hama Amadou said the Niger Government and people regard China as a true friend, and are grateful for China's selfless assistance to Niger over the years.

He said that China now is Niger's second biggest trade partner, and the two countries' economic cooperation has promoted Niger's development. Niger is ready to strengthen its relations of friendly cooperation with China, he said.

He praised China for upholding justice in international affairs, saying that China is a good example of following the international norms.

The prime minister said Niger resolutely supports China's reunification cause and hoped it could be achieved as soon as possible.

After the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of an agreement on economic and technological cooperation between the two countries.

Hama arrived in Beijing Thursday to start his five-day working visit to China. He will also visit East China's commercial hub Shanghai and South China's special economic zone Shenzhen.

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