On November 7, 2006, Chinese President Hu Jintao met at the Great Hall of the People respectively with Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza, President of the Somali Interim Government Abdullahi Yusuf, and Zambian President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, who were here in China for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Hu said the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, as an important milestone in the history of China-Africa relations, is of great and far-reaching significance. The summit helps deepen a fraternal friendship between both sides, establish a new type of China-Africa strategic partnership and promote pragmatic cooperation in all areas. China has launched a series of new moves to help Africa's development, which are aimed at supporting African countries to improve their capacity for self development, demonstrating a sincere aspiration shared between China and Africa to remain good friends, partners, and brothers. The guests warmly congratulated on the successful holding of the Beijing Summit, saying that their Beijing tour is memorable and the success of the Summit marks a great stride made in the friendship between the Chinese and African peoples, as well as in China-Africa relations. They vowed to work with the Chinese side to actively push for the new-type China-Africa strategic partnership.

When meeting with Nkurunziza, Hu said China and Burundi have deep traditional friendship, and in recent years, the two countries have boosted their exchanges and cooperation in fields of politics, judicature, economy, trade, culture and international affairs, suggesting the two sides actively conduct exchanges in all fields and at all levels including those between the governments, political parties and legislative bodies. Hu said both sides should enhance cooperation in investment, infrastructure, telecommunications and agriculture, and expand contacts in the areas of culture, education and human resources development. China will continue to support the peace process in Burundi, and urges the international community to enhance attention and assistance to the reconstruction in Burundi, he said. Nkurunziza appreciated China's long-time assistance to Burundi in the areas of education, public health, agriculture, power and infrastructure, saying the political and security situation is basically stable in Burundi. The Burundian government is making efforts for national reconciliation and economic, social development, he said. Burundi is expecting further assistance from China, and wishes to enhance cooperation with China, he said.

When meeting with Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf, Hu said Somalia is one of the first African countries to establish diplomatic ties with China and has made important contributions to the restoration of China's legal seat in the UN, which the Chinese people will bear in mind. Since its establishment, the Somali interim government has attached importance to ties with China and given priority to developing friendly cooperation with the country. China would support the Somali interim government's efforts to seek peace and reconstruction, urging the UN Security Council to grant it more support and assistance, Hu said. China will continue its efforts for an early realization of peace and stability in Somalia, Hu added. Yusuf said the two countries share a traditional friendship and the Somali people thank for the long-standing support and assistance from the Chinese people. Somalia was working on a reconstruction and development plan and hoped to expand friendly cooperation with China. He expected China's help in the political, economic, and social areas, as well as in international affairs to realize peace and development in Somalia.

While meeting with Zambian President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, Hu said the China-Zambia friendship goes back to ancient times and serves as a witness to the China-Africa friendship over the past half century. In recent years, bilateral ties have been further consolidated and strengthened and the fruitful bilateral cooperation in economy and trade has brought substantial benefits to the two peoples, Hu said. Hailing the consensus reached between both sides on developing bilateral ties, Hu pledged to work with Zambia to actively implement the cooperation projects and enhance the level of bilateral ties. Mwanawasa said the friendship between the two peoples enjoys a time-honored history and has been deeply rooted in the hearts of both peoples, adding that the Zambian people will never forget the selfless assistance from China. To develop friendship and cooperation with China is a firm policy of Zambia, he said. He also looked forward to further cooperation with China in fields of trade, investment and infrastructure for the benefit of both peoples.

Hu also appreciated the three countries' resolute adherence to the one-China policy.

State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and other officials attended the meeting.