On November 3, 2006, Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong met respectively with Angolan Prime Minister Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos and Vice President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Abdoulaye Yerodia Ndombasi at the Great Hall of the People.

Zeng welcomed Fernando and Yerodia to the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, saying the summit, as a historic event in China-Africa relations, will further consolidate the traditional Sino-African friendship, deepen their new-type strategic partnership, and declare to the whole world the determination of China and Africa to join hands to be committed to the mankind's progress and development.

Zeng Qinghong meets with Angolan Prime Minister Fernando

Fernando and Yerodia spoke highly of Africa-China friendship and thanked for China's precious support and disinterested assistance to Africa for a long period of time, saying that their countries would like to work with China to make the summit a milestone for pushing for Africa-China relations.

During his meeting with Fernando, Zeng said since the establishment of diplomatic ties between both countries, bilateral ties have always been developing smoothly and have become firmer as time goes by. In particular after Angola entered a new period of peaceful development, bilateral cooperation in all areas has been expanded with rapidly growing exchanges in the economic and trade area and Angola has become China's largest trading partner in Africa. China appreciates the Angolan government's adherence to one-China policy and is delighted at the sound momentum in bilateral ties. China is ready to work with Angola to strengthen cooperation with Angola in the areas of economy, trade, culture, education and health and to lift bilateral friendly cooperation to "a higher stage".

Echoing Zeng's comments on bilateral ties, Fernando said that Angola would like to further strengthen its friendly cooperation with China and hopes to see closer political ties between both sides so as to jointly contribute to world peace and development. He suggested both sides tap potentials to the full in the economic sector and enhance the level of trade cooperation. Fernando reaffirmed the Angolan government resolutely pursues the one-China policy.

Zeng Qinghong meets with Vice President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Yerodia

When meeting with Yerodia, Zeng said the two countries share a profound traditional friendship and the relations have withstood the test of time and changeable international situation. As the Democratic Republic of Congo will enter its new period for national development, the development of friendly relations between both sides is faced with a new opportunity. The Chinese government will continue to support the Democratic Republic of Congo to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity and promote the peace process in an all-around way. "China will actively participate in the economic reconstruction of the Democratic Republic of Congo and push forward the exchange and cooperation between the two countries in various fields," Zeng said. Zeng believed that with the joint efforts of both sides, the traditional friendship and cooperation will reach a new high. He also appreciated the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo for adhering to the one-China policy.

Yerodia said the friendship between the two countries goes back to ancient times and developing friendly ties with China is the common aspiration of the whole nation. He said in the new circumstances, his country looks forward to broader cooperation with China and hopes China to take part in the reconstruction of his country.

On the same day, Zeng also met with Guinean State Minister of Foreign Affairs Mamadi Conde and Tunisian Minister of Development and International Cooperation Mohamed Nouri Jouini.