Chinese premier vows to promote cooperation with Togo, Mali (2)

Calling Mali an old friend and reliable partner of China, Li told his Malian counterpart Mara that China firmly supports Mali's efforts in defending national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

Li said the Chinese side will continue to work with the international community and play an active role in promoting lasting peace and development in Mali.

The premier added that China will enhance bilateral cooperation in agriculture, electricity, infrastructure, information and communication, expand cooperative frontiers, and update cooperation mode so as to achieve common development and mutual benefit.

Mara hailed fraternity between the two nations and said the bilateral cooperation is fruitful.

He said his country totally agrees with the China-Africa cooperation framework proposed by Li and will work hard to help turn it into tangible results to benefit Chinese and African peoples.

Li arrived here Tuesday on the second leg of his first Africa trip as Chinese premier.

Before Nigeria, Li paid a visit to Ethiopia, where he also went to the African Union headquarters and delivered a speech there to expound on China's Africa policy. Li will later travel to Angola and Kenya during his ongoing Africa tour.