On the afternoon of September 13, 2011, President Hu Jintao met at the Great Hall of the People with his Beninese counterpart Thomas Boni Yayi, who is here to attend the 2011 Summer Davos Forum. Both sides exchanged in-depth views on bilateral ties and issues of common concern and reached broad consensus.

During the meeting, Hu said since the two countries resumed diplomatic relations in 1972, bilateral ties have withstood the test of time and international vicissitudes and have achieved continuous development. Recent years have witnessed close contacts between the leaders of the two countries and fruitful results of economic and trade cooperation. China has become Benin's most important trading partner and exchanges and cooperation in other fields have also made new progress. Hu expressed appreciation for Benin's adherence to the one-China policy and its support for China regarding the Taiwan issue.

Hu said China places great importance on its relations with Benin and is ready to work with Benin to deepen political relations of sincerity and mutual trust and continue to support each other on major issues of mutual concern. Hu said the two countries should advance trade and economic cooperation in a "step-by-step" manner. He expressed willingness to expand bilateral cooperation in the areas of agriculture and infrastructure construction based on Benin's resource endowments and its characteristics of the investment environment, jointly implement relevant cooperation projects and enhance the level of economic and trade cooperation. China is ready to conduct humanities exchanges in various forms with Benin and expand cooperation in the fields of culture, education, public health and human resource development. Hu called for stronger coordination and cooperation between the two countries on regional and international issues in order to safeguard common interests of both countries. He said that China supports Benin and other West African countries that wish to take active measures to address security issues in the Gulf of Guinea.

Yayi said the Beninese people hold profound feelings towards the Chinese people. The Beninese government and people thanked China for its long-term, selfless assistance to Benin in the areas of infrastructure construction, education, health and farming technology, he said, adding that China has made significant contributions to the economic and social development of his country. Benin-China friendly cooperative relations have scored fruitful results with the joint efforts of both sides. Yayi said Benin attaches great importance to its relations with China. He expressed willingness to enhance high-level contacts, build political trust and deepen cooperation in the areas of trade, economy, agriculture, humanities and infrastructure. He said Benin will cooperate with China on regional and international issues so as to push bilateral ties to a new level. Yayi also reaffirmed his country's adherence to the one-China policy.

Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun and other officials attended the meeting.