CRI听力：Chinese President Starts African Tour in Mali

Anchor:
Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao met his Senegalese counterpart Abdoulaye Wade in Dakar on Friday to discuss promotion of friendly and cooperative ties between China and the West African nation.

From there, the Chinses President will travel to Tanzania and Mauritius.

Earlier during a state visit to Mali, Hu Jintao said China is willing to extend a helping hand to its African friends while joining forces to stave off obstacles during the on going global financial crisis.

Chen Xi has more.

Reporter:
During the talks, President Hu Jintao promised that China will increase its aid to African nations, particularly through means of canceling part of their debts, and expanding trade with and investment in these countries.

This is Hu Jintao's second African tour since the landmark China-Africa summit in 2006 when the Chinese President announced eight measures to promote ties with Africa, including massive tariff cuts and debt exemptions for a number of African countries, and doubling aid to Africa over a three-year period.

He said Beijing will seriously implement set measures to help African friends to survive the harsh economic period.

"Although facing many difficulties due to the economic crisis, China, as the sincere friend of African countries, would put the promised measures of assistance in an earnest fashion with full efforts. We would continue appeal to the international community to pay more attention to the hardness of the African countries due to the economic upheaval."

Trade between China and Africa increased to nearly 107 billion U.S. dollars last year from 40 billion dollars in 2005.

Hu Jintao said that as the world financial crisis has posed severe challenges, it is of greater significance to step up China-Africa solidarity and cooperation.

He also reiterated that China cherish the traditional friendship with Mali and will carry on bilateral cooperation to benefit both peoples.(www.hxen.net)

On his part, Malian President Toure said he highly valued the close friendship between the two nations.

"The diplomatic relation between Mali and China has come into the 49th year and we will face the 50th anniversary next year. China has been accompanying Mali during the economic development and industrialization since our liberation and I am very happy to see our fruitful achievement."

Looking to the future, Toure said his country will strengthen the cooperation with China and Mali will, as always, adhere to the one-China policy.

Chen Xi, CRI News