Africans In China

BEIJING, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Hu Jintao said here on Saturday that China and African countries enjoy profound friendship, and China will never forget the stanch support from African countries and peoples.

China appreciates the unswerving support from African countries on issues like Taiwan and Tibet, which have a bearing on China’s national sovereignty, territorial integrity and core interests, Hu told some African leaders at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in west Beijing.

The African leaders were President of Gabon El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba, President of Angola Jose Eduardo dos Santos, President of Mali Amadou Toumany Toure, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Josef Kabila Kabange, President of Madagascar Marc Ravalomanana, President of Mauritius Anerood Jugnauth, President of Mozambique Armando Emilio Guebuza, President of Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza, and Chairman of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping.

The leaders all attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, held in the National Stadium in north Beijing on Friday night.

As a sincere friend of Africa, China has been paying attention to the development of Africa, Hu said. China is glad to see that Africa has entered a new period featuring peace and stability, fast economic growth and rising international status with the persisting efforts of the countries there and the African Union, Hu said.

“China will strengthen the cooperation with Africa in various fields on the basis of mutual respect, equal treatment, sincere cooperation and common development,” he added.

“We believe that as long as the African countries maintain solidarity and cooperation, and actively explore development paths that fit their realities, Africa will enjoy a bright future with support and assistance from the international community,” said the Chinese leader.

Speaking on behalf of other leaders, President Bongo of Gabon said that the Chinese government and people have done a lot for Africa over a long period of time, which the African countries will always remember.

The African countries hope to see the traditional China-Africa friendship further consolidated, and the mutually-beneficial cooperation between the two sides further enhanced, the president added.

The African leaders also spoke highly of the Friday opening ceremony, saying that the African people felt proud of what the Chinese people had achieved and wished the Beijing Olympics a great success.

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