Hu Jintao meets with Botswana President

On November 2, 2006, Chinese President Hu Jintao met at the Great Hall of the People respectively with Botswana President Festus Mogae and Sudanese President Omer Hassan Ahmed El-Bashir, who were here for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Hu warmly welcomed the two leaders to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) here in Beijing. He said in order to enhance the China-Africa cooperation level, both sides have decided to hold the Beijing Summit, which is aimed at discussing and blueprinting at the highest level the significant issue of China-Africa cooperation, so as to orient the future cooperation between both sides in all areas. Mogae and El-Bashir said the African people would benefit from the cooperation. They said the FOCAC has set a good example for the South-South cooperation and the Beijing Summit will improve Africa's relations with China as well as its ties with countries in other regions. The policy that China has defined to strengthen cooperation with Africa is of great significance to the continent's development, they added. The three leaders vowed to make joint efforts to ensure the success of the summit and push China-Africa cooperation in all areas to a new level.

When meeting with Mogae, Hu congratulated Botswana on its 40th anniversary of independence. Hu said the relations between China and Botswana have developed smoothly since the two countries forged diplomatic ties more than 30 years ago. "We are willing to maintain the momentum of high-level visits, deepen mutual understanding and trust, widen bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, culture, education and health, and strengthen coordination and cooperation in international affairs to safeguard the common interests of developing countries," Hu said.  With the joint efforts of both sides, bilateral ties will surely be lifted to one new level after another, Hu said.  Botswana enjoys good relations with China, which are established on the basis of mutual respect and common interest, said Mogae. His country also appreciates China's assistance and cooperation in the areas of fund, technology, medical health and education, the president added. Mogae looked forward to expanded cooperation between the governments, parties and peoples of both sides, adding that his country is ready to deepen economic, trade and investment cooperation with China.

Hu Jintao meets with Sudanese President

Meeting with Sudanese President El-Bashir, Hu said that the Chinese government attaches importance to consolidating and developing the traditional friendly cooperation with Sudan and is ready to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and push the bilateral ties to a new level on the basis of mutual respect and benefit. The two countries should promote exchanges at all levels, expand pragmatic cooperation and strengthen collaboration in the fields of communications, infrastructure construction, agriculture, and water conservancy, Hu said. He suggested both sides conduct humanities contacts and seek common development. El-Bashir made positive comments on Sudan-China relations and expressed satisfaction with the cooperation in all areas. He said the practical cooperation between the two countries helps inject impetus to Sudan's economic growth.

Briefing Hu on the current situation in Sudan, El-Bashir said Sudan's north-south peace accord is being well implemented and the Sudanese government is committed to a peaceful solution to the Darfur issue. The Sudanese government is seeking an effective cooperation mechanism with African Union (AU) and will make efforts to promote the peace process in Darfur, he said. Hu said China supports Sudan to realize the peace between the north and the south and would like to actively participate in the reconstruction in the south. After the adoption of UN Resolution 1706, the Darfur issue has entered a crucial stage once again. China fully understands the Sudanese government's concerns over the Darfur issue, Hu said.  "We hope the Sudanese government can strengthen dialogue with each party concerned, coordinate positions and strive to find an appropriate settlement so as to maintain stability, and constantly improve the humanitarian conditions in the region," Hu said.  China will continue to make contributions to an early realization of peace and stability in Darfur, Hu said.

State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan attended the meeting.