On the afternoon of February 17, 2005, President Hu Jintao held talks with the President of the State of Eritrea, Isaias Afwerki at the Great Hall of the People, who was paying a state visit to China. Both sides exchanged in-depth views on furthering the friendly cooperative relations between China and Eritrea and on international and regional issues of common concerns and reached common consensus on extensive subjects.

Hu Jintao said that China and Eritrea enjoy traditional friendship and the two countries established diplomatic ties on the first day of independence of Eritrea. The two countries have maintained close political contacts for many years and mutual understanding and trust has been deepened. Both sides have carried out fruitful cooperation in many fields including economy and trade, culture and education and health and have kept sound communications and coordination on international issues. China highly appreciates the Eritrean government for valuing the relations with China, for sticking to one-China policy and for the precious support to China on the issue of Taiwan and human rights. The Chinese government and people cherish the traditional friendship between China and Eritrea and are willing to develop closer cooperation with Eritrea and push the traditional cooperative relations between the two countries to a new height in the new century on the basis of five principles of peaceful co-existence.

Isaias said that Eritrea- China relations develop in a sound manner and have become the example for large countries and small ones to establish friendly cooperative relations. Eritrea sings high praise for China for making positive efforts to assist developing countries in their economic development and to maintain world peace. Eritrea and China hold same views on maintaining world peace and promoting common prosperity, which serves the important basis for Eritrea-China cooperation. Isaias hoped that his visit could become a new milestone for Eritrea-China relations and contribute to the further growth of the bilateral relations.

Hu pointed out that the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Eritrea in economy, trade and other fields boasted of great potentials and bright prospects. The Chinese government supports the related parties of the two countries to expand economic and trade cooperation and is willing to explore new ways of cooperation in infrastructure construction, exploration and development of mineral resources, ocean fishing, agriculture and other areas. The Chinese government will as always provide all necessary assistance within its capacity to Eritrea for the economic construction and the development of social undertakings. The Chinese government is also willing to strengthen the exchange and cooperation with Eritrea within the framework of China-Africa Cooperation Forum and make new contribution to developing new type of China-Africa partnership and pushing forward the pragmatic cooperation between China and Africa.

Isaias said the Chinese side has provided valuable assistance for Eritrea to develop infrastructure and health undertakings, which has promoted the economic development of Eritrea. There are many economic and trade opportunities between China and Eritrea. The Eritrean side hopes that China participate more actively in the construction of transportation infrastructures in Eritrea such as roads, airports and ports and carry out cooperation with Eritrea in mineral industry, fishery, telecommunications and technology. Isaias highly appreciates China for playing important role in helping Africa achieve peace, stability and development and is willing to actively cooperate with China and promote the multi-faceted cooperation between China and Africa in every area.

Following the talks, the two heads of state attended the signing ceremony of China-Eritrea Economic and Trade Cooperation Accord.

Before the talks, President Hu Jintao held welcome ceremony for President Isaias Afwerki at the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Vice-Chairman Xu Jialu of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Vice-Chairman Zhou TieNong of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Vice-Chairman Chen Changzhi of China Democratic National Construction Association, and Ambassador of China to Eritrea Huang Yong'an were present at the welcome ceremony.