Chinese president meets African leaders

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-09 20:57

BEIJING - Chinese President Hu Jintao said on Saturday that China and African countries enjoy profound friendship, and China will never forget the stanch support from African countries and peoples.

China's President Hu Jintao poses with presidents of 8 African countries and the Chairman of the African Union meet at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse compound in Beijing August 9, 2008. [Agencies]

China appreciates the unswerving support from African countries on the Taiwan and Tibet issues which affect China's national sovereignty, territorial integrity and critical interests, Hu told some African leaders at the Diaoyutai State Guest House.

The African leaders were President of Gabon El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba, President of Angola Jose Eduardo dos Santos, President of Mali Amadou Toumany Toure, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Josef Kabila Kabange, President of Madagascar Marc Ravalomanana, President of Mauritius Anerood Jugnauth, President of Mozambique Armando Emilio Guebuza, President of Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza, and Chairman of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping.

The leaders attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on Friday night. All of them had visited China, according to the Chinese president.

As a sincere friend of Africa, China has been paying attention to the development of Africa, Hu said. China is glad to see that Africa has entered a new period featuring peace and stability, fast economic growth and rising international position with the persisting efforts of the countries there and the African Union, Hu said.

"China will strengthen the cooperation with Africa in various fields on the basis of mutual respect, equal treatment, sincere cooperation and common development," Hu said.