On October 1, 2008, Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure sent a congratulatory message to Chinese President Hu Jintao on China’s National Day. The message reads as follows:

H.E. Mr. Hu Jintao

President of the People’s Republic of China (PRC)

Chairman of the Central Military Commission of PRC

Beijing

Your Excellency,

On the occasion of the National Day of the People’s Republic of China, I am delighted to extend, on behalf of the Malian people and in my own name, the warmest congratulations to you and brave Chinese people.

I wish to take the opportunity to reaffirm that I and the Malian people are ready to continue making unswerving efforts to consolidate the friendly and effective cooperative relations between China and Mali.

Your great country has offered precious support to Mali’s economic and social development. I would like to express once again my sincere gratitude to you and wish you good health and happiness.

May friendly Chinese people make great progress.

May the People’s Republic of China enjoy prosperity.

With my highest consideration.

Amadou Toumani Toure

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 President of the Republic of Mali

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Bamako, October 1, 2008