Chinese Defense Minister Meets Togolese GuestsChinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian met in Beijing Wednesday with Zakari Nandja, chief of staff of Togolese armed forces.Chi, who is also vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and State Councilor, said that both China and Togo are developing countries and have the similar historical experience. This has helped lay the solid foundation for furthering the bilateral relations, he said. He said that Sino-Togolese friendship is forged by the two governments and leaders. Chinese President Jiang Zemin met with Togolese President Gnassingbe Eyadema at the United Nations Millennium Summit, and the two heads of state will meet again in the upcoming China-Africa Cooperation Forum. All this will inject new vitality into the friendship. On the bilateral military relations, Chi said that Chinese and Togolese armed forced have had more contacts and their cooperation has expanded. The visit of Togolese Defense Minister Assani Tidjani to China last year had also furthered the army-to-army relations. Chi extended appreciation to the Togolese government for its pursuing of the One-China principle. Nandja thanked the Chinese government for offering aid to Togo, and said he was willing to help promote the military relations between Togo and China. |
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