On the afternoon of July 19, 2012, President Hu Jintao held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Chairman of the African Union (AU) and Beninese President Thomas Boni Yayi, who is in Beijing for a visit and to attend the opening ceremony of the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Hu pointed out that currently, the China-Benin friendly cooperative relations enjoy a sound development momentum and bilateral cooperation has yielded positive outcomes. "The Chinese side is willing to enhance cooperation with the Beninese side in various fields and continue to help Benin with its economic and social development as much as we can," President Hu Jintao said.

Hu said economic cooperation is a major part of the bilateral ties between China and Benin, adding that he hopes the two sides will work together more closely to quicken their joint projects on highways and hospitals and conduct agriculture cooperation to increase Benin's output of cotton and crops. "The Chinese side encourages capable Chinese enterprises to invest in Benin," Hu told Yayi.

Hu said that at the opening ceremony of the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in the morning, he on behalf of the Chinese government announced a series of new measures to boost a new type of China-Africa strategic partnership and expressed China's firm determination to support Africa's stability, development and unity. Hu said the AU Commission participated in this Ministerial Meeting as a Forum member for the first time. He expects the AU will play an active role in FOCAC affairs and make important contributions to the Forum building and China-Africa relations. "The Chinese side is willing to make joint efforts with Benin and other members of the FOCAC to take advantage of the conference to boost friendship and cooperation between China and Africa in an all-round way, and advance the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership in a sustainable way," said the Chinese leader.

Hailing the sound development of bilateral ties, Yayi thanked China for its support and assistance to Benin over the past years. Benin is committed to the development of economy and the improvement of the people's livelihood, he said, adding that he hopes the two nations will step up their cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, education and health care, among other areas. Unity, friendship and cooperation between Africa and China are the precious wealth shared by both sides. Currently, the African continent is faced with rare opportunities for development, as well as the challenges including conflicts, poverty, and food security. Yayi said that African countries hope to cooperate with China more closely to secure peace, stability and development. Yayi said his country, which is chairing the AU, will continue to advance the Africa-China strategic partnership and try to make more contributions to the construction of the FOCAC.

Prior to the talks, President Hu held a welcome ceremony for Yayi at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission of China Zhang Ping, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming and Chinese Ambassador to Benin Tao Weiguang attended the welcome ceremony.