On the morning of July 20, 2012, President Hu Jintao held talks at the Great Hall of the People with President of Cote d'Ivoire Alassane Dramane Ouattara, 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 said since the establishment of diplomatic ties 29 years ago, the relations between the two countries have been developing smoothly. "Cote d'Ivoire is a major country in West Africa. China attaches high importance to relations with it and is ready to further promote bilateral friendly cooperation through joint efforts," Hu said.

Hu raised a three-point proposal on developing bilateral ties. Fist, he called on the two sides to strengthen high-level exchanges, including those between governments, legislative bodies and ruling parties, so as to enhance political mutual trust. Hu added that China supports the important role played by Cote d'Ivoire in promoting Africa's unity, stability and development, and will strengthen their consultation and coordination on international and regional affairs. Second, Hu urged both sides to deepen economic and trade cooperation. He said China will continue to support the peaceful reconstruction of Cote d'Ivoire and encourage Chinese competent companies to participate in its economic development. Third, the president also called on the two sides to enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Both sides should expand cooperation in culture, education, health and human resources training, promote people-to-people exchanges and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between both peoples.

Ouattara said bilateral ties are developing very well, adding that China has provided valuable assistance to Cote d'Ivoire and is a good friend of the people of Côte d'Ivoire. Developing friendly and cooperative ties with China is an unswerving policy of the government of Cote d'Ivoire. Côte d'Ivoire is committed to national reconstruction and rejuvenation and hopes to expand exchanges with China. He called for more cooperation between the two countries in agriculture, water conservation, electric power, transportation infrastructure construction and the training of professionals, and invited Chinese companies to invest there. Ouattara said Cote d'Ivoire, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Economic Community of West African States, will play an active role in promoting relations between West African countries and China.

Prior to their talk, Hu held a welcome ceremony for Ouattara 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 Zhang Ping, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming and Chinese Ambassador to Cote d'Ivoire Zhang Guoqing attended the welcome ceremony.