FM: Chinese president´s five-nation tour fruitful

Source: Xinhua | 02-19-2009 08:13

BEIJING, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- President Hu Jintao's five-nation "journey of friendship and cooperation" was very successful, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said on Wednesday.

Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao addresses a  welcoming rally attended by people from various  sectors in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Feb. 16, 2009.  (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

The tour, which started on Feb. 10 and ended on Feb. 17, took President Hu to Saudi Arabia, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania and Mauritius.

Hu's visit to the five countries in the first month of the Chinese lunar new year was very successful as it fulfilled its goals -- consolidating friendship between China and these countries, boosting cooperation and reinforcing their will to tackle the joint challenges for common development, Yang said.

It was also of important significance to further advance the friendly ties between China and Saudi Arabia as well as between China and Africa and to enhance China's solidarity and cooperation with developing countries to stand hand-in-hand in the face of challenges, he said.