Chinese President returns home after African tour

Source: CCTV.com | 02-12-2007 09:06

Hu Jintao's tour has been called "a journey of friendship and cooperation."

The tour was a remarkable success. Begun on January 30th, it had taken President Hu to Cameroon, Liberia, Sudan, Zambia, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique, and Seychelles.

From the very start, the Chinese president has said the point of his visit was to deepen the traditional friendship between China and Africa.

President Hu, said, "It's been for over a half century. We've supported each other in the fighting for national liberation as well as for development and enlightenment. We cooperate well on international affairs. I believe the friendship and cooperation will go far and remain firm, benefiting both peoples."

President Hu also emphasized China's understanding of and support for the African peoples' love of independence.

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 struggle for freedom from colonial rule among African people. China did not, does not, and never will impose its will on other countries, nor will China do anything that would harm the African people."

The tour has produced a number of joint communiques and cooperation pacts between China and the African countries. In addition, China has agreed to waive some of the debts owed by various African nations.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing described Hu's African trip as a "major event" in Sino-African relations.

It was Hu's first African trip since Beijing hosted the summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation last November, the largest such meeting in half a century. No wonder this official visit is viewed as an important chapter on the growing China-African partnership.

Editor:Du Xiaodan