Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao put forward a three-point proposal on promoting friendly relations, common prosperity and closer cooperation between China and Africa.  

Addressing the Gabonese National Assembly in Libreville Monday, Hu said China and Africa should first of all maintain traditional friendship and enhance bilateral ties. Strengthening solidarity and cooperation with developing countries, including those in Africa, is a basic principle of China's foreign policy, he said.

He promised that the Chinese government will expand cooperation with African countries in an all-round way and continue to explore new ways and areas for such cooperation, Hu said.

Secondly, he said, the two sides should adhere to the principle of mutual help and benefit and promote common prosperity. Offering aid to African countries without any political strings and within China's ability is an important component of China's policy toward Africa, he said. China will increase such aid as its economic strength increases, he promised.

He added that the Chinese and African economies are highly complementary and have a vast potential for cooperation. China will earnestly implement the follow-up moves set by the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, and support the building of the African Union and the implementation of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), he noted.

He expressed hope that both sides will foster trade and economic cooperation, with infrastructure construction, agricultural development, human resources building and natural resources exploitation as priorities.

Thirdly, Hu said, China and Africa should cooperate more closely in international affairs to safeguard the rights and interests of developing countries. Economic globalization should benefit the people of all countries and should help promote common prosperity, he said.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, he said, China will continue to support the legitimate positions and demands of developing countries including those in Africa, boost solidarity and cooperation among developing countries and consolidate their ability to jointly meet challenges.

The Chinese president arrived here Sunday for a three-day state visit to Gabon, the first trip to the African nation by a Chinese head of state in three decades.

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2004)