Chinese FM visits Chad on friendship mission in Africa

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi began his 20-hour official visit to Chad on Tuesday evening as part of his mission to boost cooperation with Africa.

During his visit, the Chinese minister will hold talks with his Chadian counterpart Moussa Faki Mahamat and other Chadian officials on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common interest.

"The government and the people of Chad have tirelessly worked to preserve peace and stability of their country, promote socio- economic development and harmoniously live with the neighboring countries. These efforts have greatly paid off," the Chinese foreign minister said upon arrival at the N'Djamena airport.

In recent years, the Sino-Chadian relations have led to rapid economic development.

In 2010, trade between the two countries stood at 700 million U. S. dollars, an increase of 200 percent from the previous year.

According to the Chinese minister, human resource exchanges at different levels have also multiplied, mutual trust on the political front has been reinforced and bilateral cooperation has been fruitful in the economic, commercial, cultural, education, health and infrastructure sectors.

Chad, a landlocked country in the Central African region, registered an impressive 6.1 percent economic growth in 2010. The forecast for 2011 is strong because of oil drilling and the completion of the Djermaya refinery and the Baore cement factory.

Chad is the last stop for the Chinese minister's African tour which also took him to Zimbabwe, Guinea, Gabon and Togo. This is his fourth African tour.

Source: Xinhua