On November 4, 2006, Chinese President Hu Jintao held separate meetings at the Great Hall of the People with President Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia, President Armando Emilio Guebuza of Mozambique, President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, Head of State and Chairman of the Military Council for Justice and Democracy of Mauritania Ely Ould Mohammed Vall and President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal on the sidelines of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Hu first extended warm welcome to the five African leaders, saying he expected to have in-depth discussions with them on the development of a new type of strategic partnership between China and Africa. The African leaders spoke highly of China-Africa friendship, saying that while seeking development for the benefit of its people, China has always kept in mind the African people, offered precious assistance to them and continuously strengthened China-Africa unity and cooperation. On the ongoing high-profile summit, the leaders made highly positive comments on the great efforts and thoughtful arrangements the government and people of China, as a host country, have made for the summit, pointing out they believed the summit will not only help boost China-Africa ties, but also improve the solidarity and development of Africa.

When meeting with Pohamba, Hu said that China and Namibia have witnessed steady development of friendly cooperation with bilateral trade growing constantly. An increasing number of Chinese enterprises invested in Namibia, he said. China and Namibia will hold special talks on expanding bilateral trade during the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. More fruitful results of trade expansion are expected to be achieved during the summit, Hu said. Pohamba said that China has offered market access and many preferential policies to Namibia, which benefit Namibian people a lot. Namibia is seeking economic and trade partners in the East, said the president, adding that dozens of entrepreneurs accompanied him to the summit to explore new cooperation means with Chinese business circles. He said Namibia is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in the fields of industry, human resources and infrastructure construction to push economic and trade cooperation to one new level after another.

Meeting with Guebuza, Hu said China-Mozambique ties have maintained sound momentum for development with cooperation in all areas growing steadily. "The Chinese government will continue to provide aids within its available resources and will encourage competitive Chinese companies to invest in Mozambique," Hu said. Both sides will focus on mutually beneficial cooperation in infrastructure construction, agriculture and other areas, Hu said. China has agreed to endorse Mozambique as a new tourist destination in an effort to intensify bilateral cooperation in the tourism industry, the Chinese president said. Guebuza said his country is satisfied with the development of bilateral ties. Chinese experts, doctors and business people have played an active role in Mozambique's social and economic development, for which the Mozambican people are grateful, said Guebuza. He said his country wishes to expand cooperation with China, particularly in infrastructure construction and personnel training.

Meeting with Guelleh, Hu pointed out in recent years, the China-Djibouti relations have witnessed rapid development with personnel exchanges increasing, political mutual trust enhanced and bilateral trade booming. China is willing to expand cooperation with Djibouti in fields of communications and harbor services, said the Chinese president. China is also willing to offer assistance to improve Djibouti people's life and push the pragmatic cooperation for new achievements, said Hu. Guelleh praised sound relations and smooth cooperation between the two countries. With gifted geographical location, Djibouti is willing to enhance cooperation with China in harbor construction and transportation, so as to facilitate personnel and cargo transportation and create better conditions for further economic and trade cooperation between Africa and China, Guelleh said. Both sides also exchanged views on the stability in Sudan's Darfur, the Palestine-Israel conflict and other issues.

When meeting with Vall, Hu said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties over 40 years ago, China-Mauritania relations have been developing steadily with the friendship deeply rooted in the heart of both peoples. China and the country to the west of Sahara have achieved substantial progress in cooperation in fishery, farming, infrastructure facility construction and medical care, which has contributed a lot to the development of the two countries. China hopes to work with the African country to expand political trust and will deepen cooperation with Mauritania in communications, science and technology and personnel training to seek common development, the Chinese president said. Vall said for a long period of time, the two peoples have shared fraternal friendship and close relations, which the Mauritanian people cherish very much. Vall said the bilateral cooperation has maintained good momentum and his country hopes to explore more ways and areas to make full use of each other's advantages and achieve common prosperity.

Meeting with Wade, Hu said with the joint efforts of both sides, the relations between China and Senegal have developed smoothly and rapidly with frequent personnel exchanges, increasing economic and trade cooperation and fruitful collaboration in the health sector. The Chinese government highly values relations with Senegal and sees the country as an important cooperative partner in Africa. "We are ready to join hands with Senegal to push China-Senegal friendly cooperation into a new stage," Hu said. Wade said the cooperation agreements between the two countries are being carried out actively and Senegal will make more efforts to promote ties with China. Wade said Senegal is satisfied with the development of bilateral cooperation, which has expanded to all the fields that his country expects to cover. Senegal's restoration of diplomatic ties with China is a "correct" decision, said the Senegalese president.

Hu also expressed China's appreciation to the five countries for their adherence to the one-China policy and support for China's early reunification.

State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan attended the meeting.