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Mali 'cherishes' China friendship

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-12 07:41

Chinese workers carrying national flags of China and Saudi Arabia wait for the arrival of President Hu Jintao at the Riyadh Cement Company in the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, yesterday. Reuters

BAMAKO, Mali: President Hu Jintao's visit to Mali, which starts today, will help spread friendship and boost mutual understanding, the country's President Amadou Toumany Toure said.

The West African country cherishes the friendship it has had with China since diplomatic relations were forged on Oct 25, 1960, he said.

"Mali is the first African country on Hu's itinerary, which is of great significance and an important symbol of bilateral goodwill," he said.

"Mali has stood side-by-side with China, and the two countries share similar views on national liberation and state independence," he said.

"China helped us to develop the country's industrial infrastructure," Toure said.

"Our Chinese friends have built roads, bridges, factories and hospitals for us ... and many large-scale projects in Mali are now being built with China's assistance," he said.

"China has never turned us down when it comes to development. This is very important to us."

Toure said he is looking forward to Hu's visit.

"China has already given us all that we needed ... and we want to express our gratitude and strengthen our friendship," he said.

A joint, eight-measure policy for aid to Africa, which China announced at the Beijing Summit of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in November 2006, has been smoothly carried out in Mali, he said.

"On some occasions, such as international meetings, some people are more likely to offer lip service than take real action," Toure said.

"But that's not the case with China. Chinese people always keep their word and are quick to fulfil their promises."

On the global financial crisis, Toure said no one is immune to it, and he called on all the countries to work together to tackle it.

Within the framework of China-Africa cooperation, both sides should do their utmost to reduce the negative effects of the economic slump, he said.

On the Beijing Olympics, Toure said: "It was the first time I had attended an Olympic opening ceremony.

"But I think it was the most outstanding and extraordinary Games ever."

Hu will be in Mali today and tomorrow.