China and Benin agreed yesterday to develop bilateral ties based on the principles of equality, mutual trust and reciprocal benefit. The countries will intensify partnerships in energy, agriculture, infrastructure and human resources training.

The consensus was reached when President Hu Jintao held talks with Beninese President Thomas Boni Yayi in Beijing.

Hu appreciated Yayi and his government's adherence to the one-China policy, saying the Chinese side is satisfied with the development of relations between China and Benin since the two countries resumed diplomatic ties 34 years ago.

When it won independence from French colonial rule in 1960, the West African country established "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan, which is a province of China. It began diplomatic ties with the mainland in 1964, but in 1966 switched back to Taiwan.

China and Benin resumed diplomatic ties in 1972. Since then, China has provided some US$200 million worth of aid to the coastal country. China has provided human resource training programmes, helped it develop fishery, agriculture and industry and has helped the country improve its infrastructure.

According to figures from the General Administration of Customs, Sino-Beninese trade reached US$1.09 billion last year, up 58 per cent year-on-year.

Yayi arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a seven-day state visit to China at the invitation of President Hu Jintao. This visit came four months after he assumed the presidency in April.

"This fully demonstrates the president and his country attach high importance to developing friendly relations between China and Benin," Hu said at the beginning of their talks.

China is ready to work with Benin to maintain high-level contacts and expand bilateral trade and economic and technical co-operation, Hu said.

This will be done on the basis of mutual benefit, and the countries will also intensify co-ordination and consultation in regional and international affairs to safeguard the interests of developing countries, he added.

Saying that he was "feeling at home" in China, Yayi said he is grateful for the "friendship and care" that China has shown to African countries.

Before taking office, Yayi served as president of the West African Development Bank for almost 12 years, during which he visited China on four occasions.

He reiterated that his country is committed to the one-China policy.

Saying China is an important co-operative partner of Benin, Yayi said his country is willing to further strengthen co-ordination and co-operation with China in international affairs.

Source: China Daily