Foreign and Military Affairs

China vows to support Cote d'Ivoire's reconstruction

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-04 15:09

ABIDJAN - The Chinese Ambassador to Cote d'Ivoire, Wei Wenhua, on Tuesday pledged his country's willingness to support the war-torn West African country's reconstruction and socio-economic development.

The Chinese diplomat made the overture in Cote d'Ivoire's economic capital Abidjan after a meeting with the country's president-elect Alassane Ouattara. Both sides stressed the good cooperation and friendly ties between China and Cote d'Ivoire.

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Wei spoke of his relief regarding the end of the post-election violence and hailed the policy of reconciliation and reunification being implemented by Ouattara's government.

"We have also raised our fears regarding the problem of insecurity and we hope that the government will take appropriate measures to restore public order and protect civilians," the Chinese diplomat noted.

On the same day, Ouattara met with the special representative of the UN secretary general in Cote d'Ivoire, Young Jin Choi.

Both men agreed on the need to use all available resources to restore public order and stability.

Cote d'Ivoire began a new chapter of her socio-political history with the arrest of the country's ex-leader Laurent Gbagbo on April 11 by forces loyal to Ouattara.

Ouattara's government is trying to restore order after the post- election violence which was characterized by killings and looting.

With the exception of the pro-Gbagbo district Yopougon in Abidjan, which still has pockets of resistance, normalcy is being witnessed in the city.

On Monday, the pro-Ouattara Cote d'Ivoire Republican Forces (FRCI) launched what they termed as "the final assault" on Yopougon to dislodge Gbagbo's militia who have refused to surrender peacefully.