Beninese President Mathieu Kerekou held talks in Cotonou Friday with visiting Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong, speaking highly of China's disinterested assistance to African countries.

Kerekou said Benin is one of the least developed countries in the world and China's disinterested assistance helped African countries including Benin develop socially and economically.

China is the sincerest friend of Benin and other African countries, he said.

The Beninese president said "we hope to work together with the Chinese people to develop ourselves."

Zeng Qinghong, who arrived here earlier Friday for a two-day official visit, said China would work together with Benin to push the development of the friendly relations between the two countries to a new high, for that, he suggested that the two sides strengthen political contacts, promote cooperation in economy, trade, health and human resources development, and consult and cooperate on international affairs.

Zeng pledged that China would continue to do what it could to assist Benin.

Zeng thanked Benin for sticking to the one-China policy and its support to China on the issue of human rights.

Kerekou and Zeng were present at the ceremony of signing five documents on economic and technological cooperation between the two countries.

(Xinhua News Agency June 26, 2004)