Hu Jintao Confers With Cote d'Ivoire PM 　　Relations between China and Cote d'Ivoire have been proceeding in a smooth and steady way since they set up diplomatic ties 16 years ago, the visiting Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao said in Abidjan Friday. 　　This relationship has earned attention of leaders of the two nations and enjoyed efforts by both governments, he said. 　　Hu, who is on a three-day official visit, said this in talks with Cote d'Ivoire Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan. 　　The people-to-people friendship is growing with cooperation areas continuing to expand and results obvious, he said. 　　Cote d'Ivoire has rich natural resources and good investment environment, while China's experiences in technology and management are suitable for the needs in Cote d'Ivoire, Hu said, adding there exist wide prospects and great potential for mutually beneficial cooperation. 　　The two nations are actively exploring ways to expand new ways and areas of economic and trade cooperation in line with the principle of equality and mutual benefit, Hu said. 　　The government-to-government cooperation is advancing in a steady way, he continued, the cooperation between bilateral enterprises is also given a big impetus. 　　The Chinese government will continue to encourage its strong and well-managed firms to explore ways to run joint ventures or cooperative firms in Cote d'Ivoire, he said. 　　He believed the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries will score even greater achievements, Hu said. 　　He noted that the Cote d'Ivoire government and people, under the leadership of President Henri Konan Bedie, has upheld the tradition of safeguarding national stability and unity, actively promoted its national economy and continued to score satisfactory results. 　　He said the Chinese government appreciated Cote d'Ivoire government's adherence to the "one China" policy and its just stance of not having any official relations with Taiwan. 　　Both China and Cote d'Ivoire, as developing nations, share identical or similar views on many major international issues, and have supported, sympathized and cooperated with each other in international affairs, he said. 　　He especially mentioned Cote d'Ivoire's support to China in the U.N. human rights conferences for three years running, while China also offered necessary support and assistance to Cote d'Ivoire on international affairs. 　　China supported Cote d'Ivoire to play a more positive role in international and regional affairs, and is ready to maintain and strengthen bilateral consultations and cooperation on international affairs, in a bid to safeguard the reasonable propositions and just rights of the developing nations, and to promote world peace and human progress, he said. 　　During the talks, Duncan said the friendly cooperative ties between the two countries have enjoyed great promotion in the political, economic and cultural sectors since the establishment of diplomatic ties. 　　The economic cooperation has been expanded from the first and tertiary industries to the second industry, he said, adding that the cooperation between the two nations' firms have also cherished great advancement. 　　He said Cote d'Ivoire will, as always, continue to strengthen its cooperation with China on international affairs and firmly stand by China's stance on the Taiwan and human rights issues. 　　After the talks, four documents were signed between China and Cote d' Ivoire, including one framework agreement on china's supply of preferential loans to Cote d'Ivoire. 　　Later Friday, Hu will pay a field visit to a theater project which is being built with Chinese assistance, meet with President Omar Kabbaj of the African Development Bank and attend a dinner hosted by Duncan. 　　After the visit to Cote d'Ivoire which will winds up on January 31, Hu will proceed to South Africa, the last leg of his first African tour, which will end on February 4. HomeNews 1999-01-30 Page1 Full Story in Chinese