Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, shakes hands with Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, on Feb. 14, 2006. [Xinhua Photo]
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, on Feb. 14, 2006. [Xinhua Photo]
Top legislator meets Togolese president
China's top legislator highlighted boosting exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese and Togolese parliaments to help foster the bilateral relations.
Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), made the remark in his meeting with visiting Togolese president Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe Tuesday afternoon.
He noted the exchanges and communications between the two legislatures are an important part of bilateral relations.
The NPC and the Togolese parliament have cultivated friendly exchanges and cooperation for years, which have made a significant contribution to increasing mutual understanding and consolidating traditional friendship between the two peoples, Wu said.
The NPC is willing to strengthen exchanges and communications with the Togolese parliament, share experiences on the democratic and legal system establishment process, Wu said, noting that the two sides should intensify the consultation and cooperation in international organizations like the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Wu noted that China and Togo maintained smooth development of the bilateral relations since the two countries established diplomatic relations and have scored remarkable achievement in cooperation in economic matters, culture, education and public health.
"China appreciates the Togolese government and parliament's adherence to the one-China policy and we will always be a sincere and reliable friend of the Togolese people," Wu stressed.
Faure called China "an old friend of Togo" when met with Wu, noting that Togo admires and is encouraged by the achievement China has scored in economic development and the role China plays in world affairs.
Togo is willing to fortify the cooperation with China in various fields and the exchange activities between the two parliaments, Faure said, pledging that Togo will continue to unswervingly support the one-China policy.
Faure arrived in Beijing Sunday at the invitation of President Hu Jintao. Besides Beijing, the Togolese president will also travel to Shaanxi Province in the northwest and the country's economic powerhouse Shanghai in east China.
China to promote political trust, economic co-op with Togo: Premier
China is ready to further enhance political mutual trust and economic cooperation with Togo, said Premier Wen Jiabao Tuesday in Beijing.
Wen said when meeting with Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe that China and Togo enjoy traditional friendship for a long time.
President Faure has reiterated Togo's adherence to one-China policy on many occasions, and voiced his hope to promote friendship and cooperation between Togo and China. Wen expressed appreciation for Faure's attitude.
China values its relations with Togo, Wen said, noting that his country will enhance political mutual trust, increase economic and technological cooperation, and expand trade scale between the two sides in a bid to achieve win-win results and common development.
Both China and African nations are developing countries. Strengthening Sino-African friendship and economic ties accords with the common demands of both sides, and is also of strategic significance for South-South cooperation and poverty eradication, Wen acknowledged.
China, although not rich, will seriously implement is promise of providing economic assistance within its capacity to Togo and other African nations, the premier noted.
Faure said the fruitful Togo-China cooperation in economy, trade, electricity, culture, education, health and sports serves to spur the economic and social progress of Togo. Facts have proved that China is a genuine friend of Togo and Togolese people, the president said.
Faure said his government will continue firmly keeping to one-China policy, and will promote its cooperation with China in such fields as economy, trade, telecommunication and investment.
Togo and other African nations are ready to enhance friendly cooperation with China, and strengthen coordination with China in international affairs, Faure noted.
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China, Togo eye on increased trade ties
China and Togo agreed to further expand trade ties during the Togolese president Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe's first China tour since he assumed presidency last May.
"Sino-Togolese relations have entered into a new stage of growth", Chinese president Hu Jintao told Faure in their talks Monday afternoon, proposing the two sides to improve economic and trade relations in spheres such as agriculture, infrastructure construction, telecommunication and power generation.
"Togo has become one of China's important trade partners in western Africa", the Chinese president noted.
In response to Hu's proposals, Faure said Togo is ready to enhance exchanges and cooperation with China in such fields as economy, trade, telecommunication, science, technology and infrastructure in an bid to further promote Togo-China relations.
After the summit meeting, the two countries signed a series of economic and technological cooperation agreements.
In his talks with Premier Wen Jiabao Tuesday afternoon, Faure highlighted that the bilateral cooperation in the fields of economic and trade, agriculture, power generation, culture and education and public health has substantially helped Togo's economic and social development.
The Togolese president called China an "old" and "true" friend of Togo when meeting with Chinese leaders.
Togo admires and is encouraged by the achievements China has scored in the economic construction and the country is ready to join hands with other African countries to cement friendly cooperation in various fields, Faure said.
Information from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce showed that China exports textiles, machinery and electronic products, and shoes to Togo and imports raw cotton from the country.
China also grants tariff-free treatment to Togo, which is regarded as the one of the most underdeveloped African countries.
Official statistics showed that the two-way trade reached 508 million US dollars in last Jan. to Nov., growing 27.54 percent over the same time last year.