On February 12, 2009, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with his Malian counterpart Amadou Toumany Toure in Bamako. During the meeting, Hu pointed out that currently the international situation is undergoing profound and complex changes and China-Africa relations are at a crucial stage of development. Hu said that as the world financial crisis has posed severe challenges, it is of greater significance to step up China-Africa solidarity and cooperation. On behalf of the Chinese government, Hu vowed to earnestly implement various measures on aid to Africa set at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). China will increase aid to African countries within the ability, cancel part of their debts, and expand trade with and investment in these countries in a bid to strengthen China-Africa pragmatic cooperation.

Hu spoke highly of the progress made in China-Mali relations. He said Mali was among the first countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 49 years ago, under the careful cultivation of generations of leaders of the two countries, China-Mali relations have withstood the tests of time and the changing international situation. The friendship between the two countries has been deeply rooted in the hearts of both peoples. In the political area, the two countries have maintained sincere friendship with mutual respect and trust and supported each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns. China supports Mali’s economic and social development. The two sides have witnessed rapidly growing trade and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between enterprises of both countries. The cooperation between the two sides in the cultural area has also made new headway. The two peoples are good friends treating each other sincerely, good partners with close cooperation and good brothers sharing weal and woe and their friendship serves as a good example in South-South cooperation.

Hu pointed out that next year, which is the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, will mark a new period for development of bilateral ties. China cherishes its traditional friendship with Mali and is ready to take the opportunity to inherit the past and usher in the future in joint efforts to continuously open up a new situation of China-Mali relations. President Hu raised a four-point proposal on the development of China-Mali relations. First, keep close friendly exchanges and deepen traditional friendship. Hu urged both sides to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges and expand the cooperation between the governments, legislatures, military and non-governmental organizations to build up political trust. Second, strengthen pragmatic cooperation and promote common development. Both sides should work closely to well implement the cooperation projects between the two governments. The Chinese government is ready to continue to encourage and support competent Chinese businesses to invest in Mali based on the principle of mutual benefit, win-win results and complementary advantages and enhance bilateral cooperation on telecommunications, agriculture and infrastructure construction. A bilateral joint committee on economic, trade and technological cooperation should be established to enhance planning and coordination and raise the level of bilateral cooperation. Third, expand cultural exchanges and enrich cooperation. China welcomes Mali to participate in the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai to showcase the Malian civilization and arts. China is ready to continue helping the Malian side with personnel training and offer Mali anti-malaria medicines and medical equipment. Fourth, strengthen coordination and safeguard common interests. China is ready to enhance coordination with Mali in international affairs. Both sides should jointly appeal to the international community to pay more attention to Africa’s development and offer more support and assistance for the African continent to fulfill the UN Millennium Development Goals.

President Toure, on behalf of the Malian government and people, warmly welcomed President Hu’s visit. “Today, the Malian people are welcoming President Hu’s visit in the most friendly and warmest way,” he said. Describing the Mali-China friendship as sincere, sustained and eternal, he said the Malian people cherish very much the friendship with China and are pound of it. The Malian people thank for the disinterested long-standing assistance offered by the Chinese side, he said, adding that the assistance plays an important role in promoting Mali’s economic and social development and improving its people’s livelihood. Mali will adhere to the policy of solidarity with China and strengthen friendly cooperation with China. Toure also reaffirmed his country’s adherence to the one-China policy, which he said will not change.

Hu pointed out that since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2006, with the joint efforts of both sides, China-Africa political relations are even closer with deepening development of pragmatic cooperation between both sides. Positive progress has been made in implementing the 8 policy measures announced by the Chinese government to enhance pragmatic cooperation with Africa and support the continent’s development. The China-Africa trade volume has exceeded 100 billion U.S. dollars for the first time in 2008. China is ready to work with African countries including Mali to actively prepare for the 4th Ministerial Conference of the FOCAC and earnestly push forward the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership for the benefit of Chinese and African peoples.

“China is paying much attention to African countries' difficulties and concerns as the global financial crisis has begun to take a toll on Africa," Hu said. "We would like to increase communication and exchanges with Mali and other African countries so that together we will tide over the crisis," Hu said.

Toure agreed with Hu’s views and introduced the situation in Mali and the African region. He thanked for the support from the Chinese government for Africa’s integration process and the African Union (AU). Hu appreciated the Malian side for its adoption of the good-neighborly and friendly policy and its efforts to push forward the African integration process and safeguard regional peace and stability. He sincerely wished the Malian people greater progress on the path of national development.

Following their talks, the two leaders attended a signing ceremony and jointly met the press. Prior to the talks, President Hu attended a grand welcoming ceremony hosted by the Malian president. On the evening of the same day, President Hu attended a welcoming banquet held by President Toure.

Hu also called on the staff of the Chinese Embassy in Mali and representatives from Chinese-funded institutions and overseas Chinese.

Ling Jihua, Wang Huning and Dai Bingguo attended the above activities.