Hu Jintao´s African tour to strengthen cooperation

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-07-2009 08:54

President Hu Jintao heads to Africa and Saudi Arabia next week to strengthen cooperation in the face of the global financial meltdown. The Foreign Ministry has briefed reporters ahead of the president's trip, saying the visit is in the interest of both sides.

Africa is President Hu Jintao's first destination of the new year.

Zhai Jun, Chinese asst. FM

The visit comes as developing countries urgently try to minimize their losses from the world economic slowdown.

It also comes as both sides look to facilitate the implementation of agreements made at the China-Africa Summit in 2006.

Zhai Jun, Chinese asst. FM, said, "The Chinese government attaches great importance to cooperating with African countries. We see them as friends, brothers and partners. Cooperation is based on mutual trust and development."

During the trip, President Hu Jintao is expected to discuss issues of common concern with his African counterparts, and sign a number of cooperative agreements. The president is also seeking more exchanges with the Gulf Cooperation Council. Also on the schedule are visits to African branches of Chinese companies, and Chinese technicians working on aid projects.

The Foreign Ministry stressed that China-Africa cooperation is not restricted to energy and resources.

Zhai Jun said, "China-African cooperation is part of our traditional friendship. Cooperation takes this friendship further. Our cooperation is mutually beneficial, it is for the interests of both sides. "

Hu Jintao's week-long journey begins next Tuesday, taking the president to Saudi Arabia, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, and Mauritius.

The president's African tour goes beyond regional cooperation. It looks at what developing nations can do together to combat world financial turmoil. And it's hoped by joining hands during this particular crisis, the friendship between China and these African countries will become closer and more solid.

Editor:Liu Fang