"I am confident my visit will promote understanding between our countries, deepen our friendship and expand trade and economic co-operation," Zhu said in a written statement.

His comments were released to the media yesterday afternoon local time upon his arrival at Yaounde's airport.

"I hope my visit will push Sino-Cameroon co-operation to a new stage of development."

Zhu is scheduled to meet Peter Mafany Musonge, Cameroon's premier, and President Paul Biya.

Views on "bilateral relations and other issues of common concern" will be exchanged, Zhu said.

Cameroon is the third nation of Zhu's four-country tour of Africa.

Zhu met Moroccan King Mohammed VI on Wednesday afternoon local time before travelling to Cameroon.

Zhu also visited on Wednesday Morocco's commercial centre, Casablanca, where he met some of that country's business leaders.

Zhu in both meetings vowed the Chinese Government will continue encouraging well-established Chinese firms to conduct mutually beneficial co-operation with their counterparts in other countries.

He also praised the existing co-operation between the countries' businesses.

The trade volume last year between China and Morocco was US$384 million. China's exports made up the lion's share.

The fishing industry is an important component in Sino-Moroccan co-operation.

China and Morocco should develop new areas for trade growth to enhance trade and co-operation, Zhu told Morocco's business leaders.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said Zhu told King Mohammed VI that their World Trade Organization memberships provided the countries with good opportunities to enhance mutually beneficial co-operation.

The King said good political ties between China and Morocco has laid a solid foundation for the development of economic and trade relations.

The spokeswoman said the king promised Morocco will provide the best conditions for Chinese investors and enterprises.

(China Daily August 30, 2002)