Visiting Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said Tuesday that Sino-African unity and friendship have boosted the confidence of numerous African countries in their future growth.

He made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum -- Ministerial Conference Beijing 2000, which opened here Tuesday.

Bouteflika said the convening of this high-level meeting to consolidate the traditional Sino-African friendship is helpful for the two sides to tackle future challenges.

He praised China for its selfless assistance to African countries during their fight for independence. "The Algerian people will never forget the support and encouragement they received from China during their struggle for national liberation," he said.

Bouteflika stressed that China's persistent assistance to African countries after their independence has also benefited them tremendously.

He said Africa still suffers from poverty and underdevelopment, as an aftermath of long-term colonization and imperialist exploitation in the continent.

As a responsible country on the international stage, China is always ready to support the just cause of third-world countries, he said, citing China's attendance at the summit meeting of developing countries in Havana this year.

Bouteflika said he highly appreciates Sino-Algerian cooperation, which "has been the most effective cooperation between Algeria and any foreign country in terms of both fairness and efficiency".

He recalled with pleasure the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 1971, when the legitimate seat of the People's Republic of China was restored in the UN and China became a permanent member of the UN Security Council. "All the African representatives present cheered and applauded and took China's victory as their own", he said.

About the current international situation, Bouteflika said most African countries are in danger of being marginalized in the globalization process.

African countries must rely on their own unity and strength to meet challenges, he said.

He said he sees an optimistic future for Africa, "as long as the African people are united and give play to their wisdom", because the continent "enjoys diverse advantages in terms of area, natural resources, human resources and environment".

He also pointed out that the forum should on one hand discuss the possible difficulties in Africa's future development and, on the other, inspire and encourage people to strive for a prosperous future.

(People’s Daily 10/10/2000)