Chinese president pledges to enhance cooperation with Benin

President Hu Jintao said in Beijing Monday that China was ready to enhance exchanges and cooperation with Benin to improve bilateral friendship.

China and Benin had enjoyed healthy and stable relations since resuming diplomatic ties 34 years ago. "We are satisfied with it," Hu said during the talks with visiting President Thomas Boni Yayi of the Republic of Benin.

Hu expressed his appreciation for Benin's adherence to the one-China policy and for its friendly cooperation with China.

"China will increase mutually-beneficial cooperation with Benin in such fields as agriculture, infrastructure projects, telecommunications and energy," Hu said.

China would expand economic and trade cooperation with Benin, and encourage companies to take an active part in Benin's economic progress.

Hu said the two governments, legislative bodies and political parties should increase friendly exchanges and deepen mutual understanding and trust.

The two foreign ministries should consult widely and the two nations should continue supporting each other on major issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity, Hu said.

China would help Benin in personnel training, and continue to send medical teams to Benin.

Hu said China would work with Benin to safeguard the legitimate interests of developing countries in such issues as development and poverty reduction, reform of the United Nations and setting rules for multilateral trade.

Yayi said Benin regarded China as an important cooperative partner, and would increase cooperation in fields such as agriculture, transport, infrastructure construction, resources, energy, education and personnel training, and enhance coordination in international affairs.

Yayi expressed his appreciation for China's help to Benin and other African nations, saying that he was looking forward to attending the China-Africa Cooperation Forum summit in Beijing in November.

Benin would firmly stick to the one-China policy, he said.

Yayi arrived in Beijing on Sunday on a seven-day state visit to China as guest of President Hu Jintao.

Since 1972, China has provided 200 million U.S. dollars worth of aid to Benin, a West African coastal country, offering human resource training programs, helping to develop fisheries, agriculture and industry and improve infrastructure.

Figures from the General Administration of Customs show Sino-Beninese trade was valued at 1.09 billion U.S. dollars last year, up 58.65 percent year on year.

Source: Xinhua