China: South Summit Conducive to Closer Cooperation

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo Meets Chinese Vice Premier Li Lanqing

A senior Chinese official said Wednesday that the current South Summit of the Group of 77 (G-77) will contribute to strengthened solidarity and cooperation among developing countries.

Chinese Vice-Premier Li Lanqing, head of the Chinese Government delegation, made the statement in his talks with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is also the G-77 chairman.

The South Summit, which opened Wednesday morning, is the first such event since the establishment of G-77 in June 1964, Li said, adding that it is a good opportunity for developing countries to look back over the past and forward into the future, and to promote solidarity and cooperation.

Every country should make greater efforts to attain cooperation, Li said, adding that he was convinced that the achievement of the South Summit will be conducive to the development of solidarity and cooperation among developing countries.

Obasanjo said that China is playing an increasingly important role in international affairs, and that he was grateful for China's participation in the Summit, the largest gathering of heads of state and government in the 36-year history of G-77.

On Sino-Nigerian relations, Li voiced China's positive evaluation of the development in bilateral relations, saying that there is vast potential for further cooperation between the two countries.

China is ready to work together with Nigeria to further promote bilateral cooperation in all fields, he said.

Obasanjo said he personally attaches great importance to the friendly relations between Nigeria and China. The Nigerian president, who paid a visit to China last year at the invitation of Chinese President Jiang Zemin, said that he was deeply impressed with the economic development in China.

Nigeria is willing to further strengthen all-round cooperation with China, Obasanjo said.