NPC Standing Committee Chairman Li Peng made the remarks Monday afternoon at a meeting with Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, speaker of the Ugandan Parliament.

Noting that Uganda was one of the earliest sub-Sahara countries to set up diplomatic ties with China, Li said that since the two countries forged diplomatic ties four decades ago, bilateral friendship had withstood the test of time and had a firm foundation.

He went on to say that China and Uganda, both developing countries, had always supported and helped each other in safeguarding national independence and sovereignty and promoting economic development.

China was ready to join Uganda in furthering their traditional friendship and expanding cooperation on the economy, trade and other fields, stressed Li, adding his appreciation for Uganda's "one China" policy.

Li spoke highly of Uganda's exploration of a development path suited to its own conditions and the country's economic achievements, as well as Uganda's efforts to improve relations with its neighbors and safeguard regional peace and stability.

Li pointed out that it was an important component of China's foreign policy to strengthen and develop unity and cooperation with African countries including Uganda and other developing nations.

In the new century, said Li, China would continue to abide by the basic principles guiding its relations with Africa, namely, sincere friendship, equal treatment, united cooperation, common development and orientation to the future, to follow up the China-Africa Cooperation Forum initiated by China in 2000 and build a long-term, stable, equal and reciprocal partnership with African countries.

Ssekandi expressed his admiration for China's achievements, attributing them to China's unity, stability and wise leadership, and his thanks for China's assistance.

He voiced his appreciation for China's sympathy with and support for developing countries in the United Nations and other international arenas, and hoped to further bilateral parliamentary cooperation.

(People's Daily October 15, 2002)