On the morning of April 29, Premier Zhu Rongji met with Laurent Gbagbo, President of Cote d'Ivoire at Zhongnanhai.

Zhu welcomed Gbagbo to China. He said that the president visited Anhui and Shanghai besides Beijing. He expressed the belief that the visit will help the president to learn about China comprehensively and will play a positive role in promoting mutual understanding between the people of China and Cote d'Ivoire and the in-depth development of bilateral friendly and cooperative ties.

Zhu spoke positively of China-Cote d'Ivoire relations. He said that at present, China and Cote d'Ivoire maintain good momentum in developing bilateral relations as the areas of cooperation expanded and forms of cooperation increased. Zhu said that the Chinese government pays great attention to developing friendly relations and cooperation with Cote d'Ivoire, and would work together to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, further strengthen cooperation with Cote d'Ivoire in all areas, and push for great progress in bilateral friendly relations and cooperation, based on such principles as sincere friendship, equality, harmonious cooperation, common development and facing the future.

Gbagbo thanked Zhu for the meeting with him and his delegation. He said that on the trip, he saw with his own eyes the great achievements China made in its reform, opening and social causes, and that he had got to know China better.

Gbagbo thanked China for its long-term selfless assistance to Cote d'Ivoire. He said that Cote d'Ivoire and China cherish long-term friendship. The two countries have conducted successful cooperation in many areas, hold identical and similar positions in international affairs. Cote d'Ivoire staunchly supports China's reunification cause. Gbagbo said Cote d'Ivoire highly valued the important status and role of China in international and Asian affairs, would like to deepen friendly cooperation between Cote d'Ivoire and China in all fields and push for greater development of bilateral relations in the new century.