Chinese, African presidents applaud new strategic partnership

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-11-04 20:52

BEIJING, November 4 -- Chinese President Hu Jintao on Saturday afternoon held separate meetings with presidents of five African countries on the sidelines of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on 皇冠体育app-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The five leaders are President Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia, President Armando Emilio Guebuza of Mozambique, President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, President Ely Ould Mohammed Vall of Mauritania and President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal.

The two-day summit opened in the Chinese capital Saturday morning with leaders of 48 African countries gathering at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing.

Hu extended warm welcome to the five African leaders, saying he expected to have in-depth discussions with them on the development of a new type of strategic partnership between 皇冠体育app and Africa, sources with Foreign Ministry said.

The African leaders expressed their appreciation to 皇冠体育app for its "precious support" to the African countries over the past decades, noting their countries hoped to strengthen cooperation with 皇冠体育app.

On the ongoing high-profile summit, the leaders said they believed the summit will not only help boost 皇冠体育app-Africa ties, but also improve the solidarity and development of Africa.

The African leaders also reiterated their countries' stance on the one-皇冠体育app policy, voicing their support for 皇冠体育app's reunification efforts.

Earlier Saturday, Hu also met with presidents of Equatorial Guinea, Mali and Ethiopia on separate occasions.