Chinese Vice Premier Huang Ju met in Beijing Monday with Mompati Merafhe, Botswana's foreign minister, and Raila Amolo Odinga, minister for roads, public works and housing of Kenya, respectively.

While meeting with Merafhe, Huang said China and Botswana enjoy long-term friendship, and the two nations have respected and trusted each other since they established diplomatic ties nearly three decades ago. They have conducted sincere cooperation in economic and trade fields, and supported each other in the international affairs.

Huang expressed appreciation and gratitude for the Botswana government on its support to China on the issues of Taiwan and human rights.

Both China and Botswana are developing countries, and strengthening the bilateral relations is in conformity with the fundamental interest of the two peoples, he said, adding that China is ready to work with Botswana to explore new ways for further cooperation.

Merafhe said the frequent exchange of high-level visits enhances the relations between Botswana and China. He thanked the Chinese government for its long-term aid to Botswana, and reaffirmed his country will adhere to the one-China policy.

He spoke highly of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, saying it shows China attaches importance to helping African countries and the vast developing countries in economic development.

When meeting with Odinga, Huang spoke highly of cooperation between China and Kenya in the construction of roads and other public facilities. He said China would like to help Kenya in the designing and construction of roads within its own capacity.

Odinga expressed gratitude for the support of the Chinese government on roads and other public works, and welcomed Chinese enterprises to participate in Kenya's economic construction.

(Xinhua News Agency May 25, 2004)