Premier Wen
Jiabao and Chairman Jia
Qinglin of the National Committee of the Chinese People's
Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) respectively met with
visiting Eritrean President Issayas Aferwerki in Beijing
Friday.?
Wen told Issayas that
China and Eritrea enjoy sound relations and have had fruitful
cooperation in politics, economy and trade since the two countries
established diplomatic ties 12 years ago.
"China expects to further explore potentials for bilateral
economic and trade cooperation, promote mutually beneficial
cooperation in key sectors such as infrastructure construction,
mining and fishery," Wen said.
Jia said that China and Eritrea have carried out all forms of
exchanges at the parliamentary or civil level.
"China attaches importance to developing friendly cooperative
ties with Eritrea and will enhance mutual trust and expand
cooperation with Eritrea," Jia said.
The CPPCC,
China's top advisory body, will make "joint efforts with Eritrea to
strengthen personnel exchanges, coordination and cooperation and
contribute to the development of bilateral ties," Jia said.
Wen said China has always "put importance" on its traditional
friendship and cooperation with Africa.
The two sides have made substantial cooperation in human
resource training, trade, investment, culture and tourism since the
second ministerial meeting of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in
2003, Wen said.
"China will, with joint efforts from African countries including
Eritrea, carefully prepare for the third ministerial meeting, which
is scheduled to be held in 2006, to reach more fruits in
Sino-African cooperation," Wen said.
Issayas agreed with Wen and Jia's remarks on bilateral ties,
saying that the two countries have cooperated well in human
resources training, health work and infrastructure construction.
They have also supported each other in international affairs.
"Eritrea firmly observes the one-China policy and supports
China's reunification," he said, adding that his country hopes to
further enhance bilateral cooperation in culture, education,
telecommunications and information technology.
Issayas spoke highly of China's policy towards Africa, saying
China's cooperation and aid to Africa are sincere and with no
political conditions, which are helpful for enhancing African
countries' "self-development capability."
Eritrea will further cooperate with China in a bid to push
forward Africa-China ties, he said.
Issayas is here for a state visit as guest of President Hu
Jintao.
When holding talks with Issayas on Thursday, Hu said that China
will enhance exchange with Eritrea to contribute to the
Sino-African new partnership and substantial cooperation.
Issayas is also scheduled to visit Xi'an, Nanjing and
Shenzhen.
(Xinhua News Agency February 19, 2005)