Chinese Economic, Trade Delegation Ends Visit to AngolaA Chinese economic and trade delegation Wednesday ended its three-day visit to Angola, with the signing of two accords respectively on economic and technical cooperation and debt remission.The Chinese delegation headed by Vice Minister of External Trade and Economic Cooperation Zhang Xiang arrived in Luanda on Sunday for the visit, during which the Chinese delegation and the Angolan delegation led by Angolan Vice Foreign Minister George Chicoty held the second session of the Sino-Angolan Intergovernment Bilateral Commission for Economic, Technical and Trade Cooperation. During the meeting, the two delegations reviewed the development of the two countries reciprocal cooperation in the economic, technical and trade domains since the first session of the Sino-Angolan mixed commission held in Luanda in December 1989. Both sides agreed to promote and expand their economic, technical and trade cooperation on the basis of the principles of equality and reciprocality. According to a document issued by the session, the Chinese government will provide the Angolan government with an interest- free loan, used for the construction of a hospital in Luanda. In addition, the Chinese government remitted part of the due debts owed by the Angolan government to the Chinese government. The Angolan government expressed its appreciation over the Chinese assistance and debt remission. During the visit, the 14-member Chinese delegation also discussed issues concerning bilateral cooperation with Acting President of the Angolan National Assembly (ANA) Juliao Mateus Paulo, Angolan Finance Minister Julio Bessa, Petroleum Minister Jose Botelho Vasconcelos and Minister of Public Works and Urbanism Antonio da Silva. The Chinese delegation, which visited Sierra Leone before the tour to Angola, left here on Wednesday for the Republic of the Congo, continuing with its five-African-nation visit that also includes Namibia and Botswana. |
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