Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Ethiopian counterpart Meles Zenawi Saturday agreed the two countries would keep expanding all-round cooperation, which has proven fruitful in recent years.

"Cooperation in infrastructure, health care and human resources have proven effective," Wen told Meles who is here for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation opening Saturday morning.

The two sides should blueprint cooperation programs in line with their existing framework agreement on bilateral development, said Wen.

He praised Ethiopia, co-chair of the forum, for its efforts to promote China-Africa relations. "China attaches great importance to developing trade and economic relations with Africa and sticks to the principles of mutual benefit and common prosperity in bilateral cooperation."

The Chinese government has always requested companies to abide by laws, maintain good credit standing, keep improving quality and efficiency and protect the local environments while operating in Africa, said the premier. "We also encourage Chinese businesses to be heavily involved in Africa's causes of public welfare, so that China-Africa cooperation will truly benefit the African people."

Meles said Chinese companies are welcome to invest in Ethiopia and other African countries, carry out diverse forms of cooperation and participate in the African countries' construction drive. These will benefit the African people, he said.

The prime minister thanked China for its long-term support and assistance, saying his country wishes to expand cooperation with China in agriculture, commodities trade, infrastructure construction and human resources development.

During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the traditional friendship between China and Ethiopia and expressed belief that bilateral ties enjoy a rosy outlook.

China and Ethiopia established diplomatic relations on Nov. 24, 1970. In December 2003, Premier Wen visited Ethiopia, and attended the second ministerial conference of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum. Meles Zenawi visited China in 2004.

Ethiopia is one of the 13 African countries that have been endorsed as tourist destinations for Chinese tourists. Bilateral trade totaled 370 million U.S. dollars last year.

Source: Xinhua