Chinese Defense Minister Meets Guineas GuestsChinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian met Thursday with Kandet Toure, director of the Office of the Guineas Defense Ministry.Chi, also vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and a state councilor, spoke highly of Sino-Guinean traditional friendship. He said that China and Guinea have a similar historical background, and as developing countries both face the task of peace and development. Therefore, the relations between the two countries have continuously improved. He added that the China-Africa Cooperation Forum - Ministerial Conference Beijing 2000 will give new life to Sino-African relations including Sino-Guinean ties. On military relations, Chi said that the contacts between the two sides have been increased, and cooperation has expanded, so Sino-Guinean military relations are satisfactory. He voiced his hope that Toure's visit will further promote the state and military relations between China and Guinea. Chi appreciated the efforts of the Guineas government, under the leadership of President Lansana Conte, to develop the national economy and safeguard the peace and stability in the west African region. He expressed the hope that Guineas will get out of its current difficult situation. He said he was grateful for the Guinean government's support to China on the issues of Taiwan and human rights. Toure thanked the Chinese government for its aid to Guinea, and noted that developing the friendly relations between Guinea and China is the common aspiration of the peoples of the two countries. The Guineas government and armed forces will continue to strengthen the existing friendly cooperation with China, he said. |
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