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CHINA> National
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China pledges to increase aid to Africa
By Li Xing (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-02-13 09:19 He also proposed to enhance coordination and mutual support to safeguard the interests of the developing countries.
Extending his warm welcome to President Hu Jintao's visit, the Malian president said Malian people are proud of their brotherly friendship with the Chinese. China helped Mali to make its first step towards modernization since its independence in 1960, Toure told the media. "The collaboration between Mali and China is fruitful and of a high quality," Toure said. "All the major projects that have appeared in Mali have borne the Chinese mark." As all countries are facing the global financial crisis, Toure said that Mali and Africa need China's assistance and he is thankful for China's pledge to continue providing the support. Toure also praised China for honoring its promises made during the China-Africa Cooperation Forum Beijing Summit three years ago. Since the summit, progress has been made in the eight policy measures that China committed itself to support development in African countries. For instance, the value of China-Africa trade last year surpassed $100 billion for the first time. Hu's talk to the media, which drew local as well as international media organizations such as BBC, AFP and Reuters, has aroused warm response from some local journalists. Alassane Souleymane, a reporter from the Mali Broadcasting Corporation, told China Daily that China places the Malian people's interests first as its aid projects always cover education, agriculture and health. "Hu's talk today show that our collaboration in these traditional fields are still strong and Malian and Chinese people are true friends," Souleymane said.
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