The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Chinese-African People's Friendship Association (CAPFA) organized the banquet in the Chinese capital.

CPAFFC Vice President Wang Yunze said China-Cote d'Ivoire ties have progressed steadily since the two nations set up diplomatic ties on March 2, 1983.

The two nations have kept close exchanges and conducted fruitful cooperation in economy, trade, culture and education, he said.

The two countries also coordinated with and supported each other in international affairs, Wang said.

He said official and non-governmental exchanges between the two nations have promoted the friendship and he believes the cooperation will continue after the domestic situation of Cote d'Ivoire calms down.

Cote d'Ivoire ambassador Konan Kramo said that the two countries have kept up frequent high-level exchanges and that bilateral cooperation in various fields had witnessed marked progress.

The cooperation between Cote d'Ivoire and China was based on the footing of "pragmatism and solidarity", Kramo said.

He said Cote d'Ivoire appreciates China's stance on the military revolt in his nation last September, after which the Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed support of the positive efforts Cote d'Ivoire's President Laurent Gbagbo made to safeguard national stability and promote national reconciliation since he assumed office.

(Xinhua News Agency March 5, 2003)