Chinese president addresses at University of Pretoria

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-08-2007 14:53

Chinese President Hu Jintao is continuing a three-day visit to South Africa, It's the sixth stop of his 8-nation African tour.

In an address at the University of Pretoria, Hu said China will consolidate traditional friendship, expand cooperation and strengthen a new type of strategic partnership with Africa.

President Hu Jintao says both China and Africa are important forces for peace and development. He says deepening their friendship is the shared desire of both peoples.

President Hu, said, "After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Chinese government and its people have provided firm political and material support for the African people as they strive for independence, and freedom from colonial rule. China did not, and does not, and will not impose its will or inequality on other countries, as well as do anything that would harm the African people."

President Hu goes on to say China will keep up its close political dialogue and coordination, to increase mutual understanding and trust with Africa.

He also adds China is committed to strengthening exchanges between Chinese and African youth.

China will provide four thousand government scholarships for African students over the next three years double the number now available.

He also announced that in the next three years, the Chinese government will invite five hundred African youths, including university students, to visit China.

Hu notes China will expand economic and technological exchanges, and he pledges that the Chinese government will continue to take steps to increase the amount of imported African goods in China.

Editor:Du Xiaodan