Hu visit to lift ties

By Li Xing (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-02-13 07:39

BAMAKO -- President Hu Jintao pledged China will work with Mali to deepen collaboration and jointly meet challenges while pushing for development in both countries.

President Hu Jintao (R) and Mali President Amadou Toumany Toure review a guard of honour upon the visiting Chinese leader's arrival in the Mali's capital Bamako, Thursday, February 12, 2009. [Xinhua]

He made the promise in a written statement after arriving in Mali's capital Bamako Thursday.

He will undertake a two-day state visit to the country from Thursday. The trip is widely expected to significantly push forward China-Mali ties, expand pragmatic cooperation between the two countries and open a new chapter in bilateral friendship.

During his visit, he will exchange views with Mali President Amadou Toumany Toure over bilateral relations, and regional and international issues of common concern.

He will also meet with the President of the Malian National Assembly Dioncounda Traore. He will attend the opening of the Bamako No 3 Bridge and unveil the new malaria treatment medical center. Both projects were built with Chinese assistance.

Mali is the 15th African country in which Hu has set foot since becoming president in 2003. It was also one of the first African countries to establish official relations with China. For 49 years, China-Mali friendship has remained strong and their cooperation in all fields fruitful, Hu said in the statement.

According to the trade and commerce section of the Chinese embassy in Mali, bilateral trade has been on an upward curve, touching a record high of $230 million in 2008. While cotton and other agricultural byproducts are shipped from Mali to China, machinery, tea and textiles flow in the opposite direction.