On February 18, 2005, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council and Chairman Jia Qinglin of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) respectively met with visiting Eritrean President Issayas Aferwerki in Beijing.

Wen said since the two countries established diplomatic ties 12 years ago China-Eritrea relations have been developing steadily and the two countries have conducted fruitful cooperation in politics, economy and trade. China expects both sides to further explore potentials for bilateral economic and trade cooperation and to promote mutually beneficial cooperation in key sectors such as infrastructure construction, mining and fishery in a bid to realize advantageous complementarities and common development.

Wen said China has always placed priority on its traditional friendship and friendly cooperation with the vast number of African countries. The two sides have made substantial progress in cooperation in human resource training, trade, investment, culture and tourism since the second ministerial meeting of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum. We would like to make thoughtful preparations for the third ministerial meeting to be held next year with the joint efforts of African countries including Eritrea so as to achieve even more productive cooperation between China and Africa.

Jia said with joint efforts of both sides China-Eritrea relations have witnessed rapid growth. The two countries have conducted sincere and effective cooperation in politics, economy, culture, education, health as well as international affairs. Various forms of exchanges have been carried out at the parliamentary or civil level. China attaches importance to developing friendly cooperative ties with Eritrea and would like to enhance mutual trust and expand cooperation with Eritrea. The CPPCC will make joint efforts with Eritrean parliament to strengthen personnel exchanges, consultation and cooperation so as to make new contributions to the overall development of bilateral ties.

Issayas indicated that exchanges between Eritrean and Chinese people have already started before Eritrea realized independence. After the two countries established diplomatic ties, bilateral relations have been constantly consolidated and developed. Eritrea has received firm support from the Chinese government and people in the process of national construction. The two countries have cooperated successfully in human resources training, health, infrastructure construction, and construction of facilities for civil use. They have also supported each other in international affairs. Eritrea firmly observes the one-China policy and supports China's reunification and hopes to further enhance bilateral cooperation in culture, education, telecommunications and information technology so as to promote the comprehensive development of bilateral relations.

Issayas spoke highly of China's policy towards Africa, saying China's cooperation and aid to Africa are sincere and selfless with no political conditions, which is helpful for enhancing African countries' self-development capability and for Africa and other countries and regions to establish equal partnership. Eritrea supports China's policies to Africa and will conduct closer cooperation with China in a bid to push forward Africa-China partnership toward continuous development.