Chinese president meets Malian parliament leader on ties

Hu said China's National People's Congress (NPC) and Malian National Assembly have maintained close ties and good cooperation for a long time and have set up bilateral friendship teams promoting exchanges between the NPC and Malian National Assembly and deepening friendship between the two countries.

He expressed the hope that the NPC and Malian National Assembly would continue to maintain friendly exchanges and reinforce exchanges and consultation on democratic and legal construction to push forward the all-round and in-depth development of their relations.

Traore said China is a great friend of Mali. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Mali and China has developed relations in the spirit of solidarity, friendship and mutual respect.

He thanked China for its people's unswerving friendship with Malian people, and its political support and economic aid.

Traore said bilateral cooperation on economy, trade, education, health, culture and human resources have developed smoothly, which is a typical example of solidarity and friendship.

Mali will firmly adhere to the one-China policy and hope to reinforce exchanges between the National Assembly and the NPC, Traore said.

Hu, during a meeting with his Malian counterpart Amadou Toumany Toure on Thursday, vowed to increase aid to African countries, cancel part of their debts and expand trade and investment.

Editor:Liu Anqi