Li Ruihuan, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met with visiting Guinean Prime Minister Lamine Sidime at the Great Hall of the People on September 15, 2000.


Li said that despite the distance between the two countries, the people of the two countries have a time-honored friendship, and bilateral relations have been developing smoothly since the establishment of diplomatic relations some 40 years ago. He also said that Sino-Guinean cooperation in various fields has been fruitful, adding that the CPPCC and Guinea's Economic and Social Council have had close exchanges, and that China is delighted with each and every achievement of the Guinean people.


Li said that China, an old civilization with a splendid history had been bullied by imperialism in its contemporary history. Therefore, the war-torn country had experienced a long period of sadness. He added that since the founding of the People's Republic of China some five decades ago, China has enjoyed economic growth and social progress. However, China has also experienced frustrations in the course of its development due to mistakes in guiding principles, and its national economy had been on the verge of collapse. China drew on lessons from the past, corrected mistakes and returned to the right track after the 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. From then on, China has been focusing on economic development, pursued the policy of reform and opening-up, and Chinese people have been able to be more creative and active in the course of economic development. He noted that it took China only some 20 years to undergo earthshaking changes, adding that the Chinese people have come to realize that as long as economically backward countries find the suitable path of development, they can then move forward at a faster pace. He also expressed the belief that the Guinean government and people, under the leadership of President Lansana Conte, will definitely overcome difficulties, and enjoy economic growth and the improvement of living standards.


Echoing Li's positive appraisal of bilateral relations, Sidime said he believes that his visit will help promote existing friendly ties between the two countries, adding that China has made enormous progress in its reform and opening-up drive over the past 20 years, indicating that the Chinese people have chosen a correct and suitable path of development. He expressed delight at and admiration for China's achievements.


Sidime said that his country attaches great importance to developing relations with China, and is ready to promote cooperation with CPPCC. He also thanked CPPCC for its hospitality accorded to Chairman Kamano of Guinea's Economic and Social Council during his visit to China.


He expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and people for China's assistance to Guinea over the past decades on behalf of President Conte and the Guinean government.