President Thomas Boni Yayi of the Republic of Benin arrived in Beijing Sunday, starting a seven-day state visit to China as guest of President Hu Jintao.

 

China and Benin resumed diplomatic ties in 1972. This is Yayi's first China tour since he took office in April. Hu will hold talks with him and Premier Wen Jiabao will also meet with him.

 

Since 1972, China has provided some US$200 million worth of aid to the coastal country in west Africa, offered human resource training programs, helped it develop fishery, agriculture and industry and improve infrastructure.

 

According to figures from the General Administration of Customs, Sino-Beniness trade ties were also boosted and reached US$1.09 billion in 2005, up 58.65 percent year on year.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 28, 2006)