President Jiang Zemin met with visiting Guinean Prime Minister Lamine Sidime at Zhongnanhai on September 15, 2000.


Jiang Zemin said that Guinea is the first country south of the Sahara to establish diplomatic ties with China, and the friendship are fostered by leaders of both countries of the old generation. During the 41 years since the forging of diplomatic ties, relations between the two countries have witnessed steady and healthy progress, with fruitful cooperation conducted in the political, economic, cultural, educational and other sectors. The friendship has struck deep roots in the hearts of both peoples. The Chinese side is pleased with the smooth development of the bilateral relations. The two countries have always supported and closely coordinated with each other in world affairs. China highly appreciates Guinea's pursuit of the One-China Policy and its valuable support on major international issues such as human rights. During the recent years, the two governments have, in open and practical manners, supported and promoted discussions by relevant departments and entreprises of both sides on new ways of expanding economic and trade cooperation which have achieved positive progress. President Jiang expressed his confidence in broad prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. He said that he has attended the UN Millenium Summit of which the major issue is how to maintain world peace. Africa is the most important force among developing countries. China attaches great importance on its mutually beneficial and long-term cooperation with Africa. For that purpose, China will host the China-African Forum?Ministerial Meetings, Beijing 2000. President Jiang expressed the hope that under the leadership of President Conte, Guinea will achieve further development. He asked Prime Minister Sidime to convey his best wishes to President Conte.


Sidime thanked President Jiang for this meeting. He said that President Conte has particularly asked him to convey cordial greetings to Jiang before his visit to China at the invitation of Premier Zhu Rongji. President Jiang expressed his appreciation.


Sidime said that both the Guinean government and people harbor special friendly feelings towards China and are grateful for China's assistance in all fields over the past decades. He said the assistance covers the whole spectrum including political and economical areas. One of the most important purposes of his visit to China is to learn from China, to learn about China's building of its socialist market economy under President Jiang?s leadership. Guinea is glad to see China's great achievements in the past 20 years.


Sidime also briefed Jiang on Guinea?s domestic development and the regional situation in Africa.