On October 11, Chinese President Jiang Zemin met with Togolese President Gnassingbe Eyadema at the Great Hall of the People.


President Jiang extended his warm welcome to Eyadema to participate in China-Africa Cooperation Forum in the capacity of rotating Chairman of the Organization of African Unity and lauded him as a respected old friend of the Chinese people. President Eyadema's four visits to China have made valuable contributions to mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. He expressed his belief that the President's current visit would further boost the bilateral friendly relations and cooperation.


President Jiang said that China-Africa Cooperation Forum had a smooth start the previous day. President Eyadema made an important speech. The Forum would also pass two documents, Beijing Declaration and Sino-African Cooperation Guidelines for Economic and Social Development, which would provide important guidance for the development of China-Africa relations in the new century. President Jiang expressed the belief that the forum would open up a new page in China-Africa friendship and cooperation. It will exert a profound impact on South-South cooperation and the establishment of a just and rational political and economic world order.


President Jiang said the existing Sino-Togolese friendship, initiated and natured jointly by President Eyadema and Chinese leaders of three generations, has a solid foundation. Jiang remarked that the bilateral relations have withstood the test of time during the past 28 years since the establishment. The leaders of both sides have made frequent high-level exchanges of visits and fruitful cooperation in various fields has been successfully carrier out. In economic cooperation and trade, the Chinese government encourages more entrepreneurs to conduct mutually beneficial cooperation in various forms. Jiang highly appreciated Togo's pursuit of the One-China Policy.


During the talks, Eyadema briefed President Jiang on the situation in Africa. President Jiang gave high regards to Eyadema's active role, as played by such a highly qualified leader in Africa, in helping mediate regional conflicts and reinforcing unity and cooperation among African nations. Eyadema highly appreciated China's initiative to organize China-Africa Cooperation Forum and believed that under the present international situation and rapid economic globalization, it is necessary for developing countries to strengthen unity and further expand cooperation. He sincerely wished the Forum a success. He expressed agreement with President Jiang's view on bilateral ties and appreciation for China's consistent help and support for Togo. It is believed that the friendly relations between Togo and China would be pushed to a new high in the future based on equality and mutual assistance.