Vice president's four-nation trip fruitful: Chinese Vice FM

Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong's vists to Tunis, Togo, Benin and South Africa on June 20-29 achieved positive results, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo said Tuesday.

Zeng's visit has been a trip of greeting Africa, knowing Africa and studying Africa, and also a tour of deepening traditional friendship, furthering cooperation and common development, Dai said, adding that Zeng appreciated the four countries for their adherence to the one-China policy and support on the issues concerning Taiwan, human rights and social development in China.

Dai said Zeng and leaders of the four countries agreed to strengthen friendly exchanges in various levels, further promote cooperation in the fields of agriculture, energy, communication, infrastructure, education, hygiene, human resources and other aspects.

Zeng also put forward measures to address cooperation on international and regional affairs under the banners of China-Africa Cooperation, China-Asia cooperation and south-south cooperation in order to safeguard common economic rights and interests of the developing countries jointly.

During Zeng's trips to the four African countries, China and South Africa established a stragetic partnership relationship while Togo, Benin and South Africa have recognized China's status as a market economy, he said, adding that 27 accords were signed on the basis of equal and mutual-beneficial economic cooperation for win-win results and common development.

Zeng attached great significance to the development of Africa, adding that the prosperity of the whole world can never be separated from the prosperity of Africa, Dai said.

Dai noted that Africa is an important foundation and footing for China to promote foreign efforts, and it is essential to consolidate and strengthen its relationship with African countries.

With the total population of China and Africa accounting for about one-third of the global population, the efforts for the two sides to fortify friendly cooperation, promote each other's developments, better the lives of both people itself serve as significant contribution for the peace and development of the whole world.

Zeng is the third Chinese leader to set foot on Africa's soil since the end of last year, following visits by Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao.