China's telecom equipment maker Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. signed a cooperation accord with Mali's telecoms company on last Saturday.

Under the agreement, Huawei will help Mali's Sotelma develop a wireless network by providing the equipment and helping Sotelma seek financing for the project.

The accord marks the start of long-term cooperation between the two companies.

The deal came as Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing is on a six-nation tour of Africa to boost ties. Li signed an agreement with his Malian counterpart Moctar Ouane on Friday on bilateral economic and technological cooperation.

Huawei specializes in the development, production and sales of telecom equipment. The company set up its office in Mali in 2004 and has carried out cooperation with Sotelma in the fields of CDMA and NGN technologies.
 
(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2006)