Premier Wen Jiabao and Chairman Jia Qinglin of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) respectively met with visiting Eritrean President Issayas Aferwerki in Beijing Friday.?

Wen told Issayas that China and Eritrea enjoy sound relations and have had fruitful cooperation in politics, economy and trade since the two countries established diplomatic ties 12 years ago.

 

"China expects to further explore potentials for bilateral economic and trade cooperation, promote mutually beneficial cooperation in key sectors such as infrastructure construction, mining and fishery," Wen said.

 

Jia said that China and Eritrea have carried out all forms of exchanges at the parliamentary or civil level.

 

"China attaches importance to developing friendly cooperative ties with Eritrea and will enhance mutual trust and expand cooperation with Eritrea," Jia said.

 

The CPPCC, China's top advisory body, will make "joint efforts with Eritrea to strengthen personnel exchanges, coordination and cooperation and contribute to the development of bilateral ties," Jia said.

 

Wen said China has always "put importance" on its traditional friendship and cooperation with Africa.

 

The two sides have made substantial cooperation in human resource training, trade, investment, culture and tourism since the second ministerial meeting of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in 2003, Wen said.

 

"China will, with joint efforts from African countries including Eritrea, carefully prepare for the third ministerial meeting, which is scheduled to be held in 2006, to reach more fruits in Sino-African cooperation," Wen said.

 

Issayas agreed with Wen and Jia's remarks on bilateral ties, saying that the two countries have cooperated well in human resources training, health work and infrastructure construction. They have also supported each other in international affairs.

 

"Eritrea firmly observes the one-China policy and supports China's reunification," he said, adding that his country hopes to further enhance bilateral cooperation in culture, education, telecommunications and information technology.

 

Issayas spoke highly of China's policy towards Africa, saying China's cooperation and aid to Africa are sincere and with no political conditions, which are helpful for enhancing African countries' "self-development capability."

 

Eritrea will further cooperate with China in a bid to push forward Africa-China ties, he said.

 

Issayas is here for a state visit as guest of President Hu Jintao.

 

When holding talks with Issayas on Thursday, Hu said that China will enhance exchange with Eritrea to contribute to the Sino-African new partnership and substantial cooperation.

 

Issayas is also scheduled to visit Xi'an, Nanjing and Shenzhen.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 19, 2005)