China will work actively to expand imports of processed goods
from Ghana, rein in its own trade surplus and gradually maintain
trade balance, Premier Wen Jiabao told visiting Ghanaian President
John Kufuor Saturday.
?
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) meets with
Ghanaian President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Great Hall of the
People in Beijing, capital of China, on Nov. 4, 2006.(Xinhua
Photo)
China is willing to intensify trade and economic cooperation
with Ghana under the principles of equality, mutual benefits and
complementarity, Wen said.
"We'll encourage Chinese businesses to invest in Ghana and will
continue to boost cooperation in communications, infrastructure
construction and human resources development," the premier
said.
He said China and Ghana enjoy a traditional friendship and have
registered new progress in all-round cooperation in recent
years.
"Ghana is an important partner of China in Africa," said Wen,
adding that bilateral ties will be further cemented with the
concerted efforts from the two sides.
Kufuor thanked China for its long-term support and assistance.
Chinese companies have won the praise and confidence of the
Ghanaian people with their efficiency and good quality demonstrated
in Chinese contracted projects in Ghana, he said.
The president said Ghana wishes to expand cooperation with China
particularly in hydropower and infrastructure projects.
Kufuor is for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa
Cooperation (FOCAC) that opened?in Beijing?Saturday
morning. Chinese President Hu Jintao met him on Friday.
Ghana and China restored diplomatic relations in February
1972.
Kufuor visited China in 2002, while Wen visited Ghana in
2006.
China now ranks as the second largest exporter to Ghana, after
Nigeria, with bilateral trade reaching US$769 million in 2005.
(Xinhua News Agency November 5, 2006)