Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks respectively with the Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou-Nguesso and Prime Minister Isidore Mvouba on Monday afternoon, exchanging views with them on enforcing China-Congo strategic partnership relation in an honest and friendly atmosphere.

 

When talking with President Sassou-Nguesso, Wen said the Sino-Congolese relationship has a consolidated foundation, which rooted from a 42-year long mutual support between the two sides in maintaining nation sovereignty and developing national economy vigorously.

 

Wen agreed with Sassou-Nguesso on his suggestion to establish strategic partnership with China, adding that the Chinese government would like to enhance cooperation in every field with the Republic of the Congo in the future.

 

According to Wen, the Chinese government has decided to offer the Republic of Congo more 30 million yuan (US$3.75 million) as gratuitous aid for its economic and social development, donate anti-malaria medicines, aid construction of agriculture demonstration centers and county schools, and help them train technicians.

 

President Sassou-Nguesso said it is an inevitable selection for his country to set up strategic partnership with China, adding the Republic of Congo would like to further deepen political and economic cooperation with China and enforce the two sides' coordination and support on crucial issues both regional and international.

 

Wen thought highly of Sassou-Nguesso's endeavor in safeguarding the African continent's solidification and resolving conflicts in this region since he acted as on-duty chairman of the Africa Union (AU) early this year. Wen said China has been attaching great importance to cooperation with the AU.

 

When holding talk with Prime Minister Isidore Mvouba, Wen believed that cooperation on economy and trade between the two sides can be sustainable, and the Chinese companies will be encouraged to invest more in the Republic of Congo.

 

Mvouba said the Congolese will consider Chinese people as their most reliable brotherhood, his government also thinks much of good relationship with China. He said investment from China is warmly welcome in his country.

 

Wen spoke highly of Congo's adherence to the one-China policy and supporting China's peaceful reunification.

 

When mentioning some African nations which have remained so-called "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan, Wen said China would like to develop normal relationships with them on the base of Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, namely mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

 

Wen arrived in the Congo Monday on a two-day official visit at the invitation of President Denis Sassou-Nguesso.

 

The Republic of Congo is the third leg of Wen's seven-African nation tour, which has already taken him to Egypt and Ghana. He will also visit Angola, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda.

 

This is Wen's second visit to Africa since he participated in a China-Africa forum in Ethiopia in December 2003.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 21, 2006)