Chinese VP calls for closer co-op with C. Africa

YINCHUAN -- Vice Premier Li Keqiang met with President of Central Africa Francois Bozize on Tuesday, pledging to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

Li conveyed President Hu Jintao's greetings to Bozize during their meeting in Yinchuan, capital of Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region.

Li commended the sound momentum of comprehensive and rapid development of bilateral relations in recent years and said the two countries have maintained high-level contacts, enhanced mutual political trust and provided support on each other's core interests.

Li noted that the two countries have achieved significant results of cooperation in economy and trade, energy and infrastructure construction and made great progress in cultural exchanges as more and more Chinese companies are investing in Central Africa.

"The two sides have expanded cooperation with mutual benefit, enhanced understanding of the two peoples and created a favorable environment for friendly cooperation," he said.

Li said China is willing to work with African countries including Central Africa to further deepen political mutual trust, enhance economic and trade cooperation, promote cultural and social exchanges and maintain coordination on major international and regional issues so as to upgrade China-Africa new strategic partnership.

Bozize said Central Africa and China enjoy a broad prospect of bilateral relations.

"The two sides are expected to enhance cooperation in all fields and speed up pragmatic cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure construction and mineral resources, and therefore to further promote the development of bilateral relations," he added.