Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown met in New York on Wednesday to discuss major international issues of common concern, particularly the international community's aid to Africa.

At the meeting, Wen focally briefed Brown on China's package of policies and measures on assisting Africa.

The Chinese premier said that without peace and development in Africa, the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) can never be realized, let alone realization of peace and development of the whole world.

Wen said China has always attached great importance to the issue of African development, and has spared no effort to assist African countries in strengthening their independent development capacity.

China fully respects the will of African countries and never attaches any political conditions in extending aid, he added.

Wen urged developed countries to fully meet their commitments to assisting Africa and take more practical approaches to promote African development.

China is willing to strengthen exchange and coordination with all the parties concerned, and make positive efforts to promote African development and realize common progress and prosperity, Wen said.

Speaking on the same occasion, Brown said China has scored achievements in poverty alleviation arousing worldwide attention.

Brown said that Britain highly appreciates China's efforts to actively support and assist other countries in fighting poverty, diseases and illiteracy.

Britain expects the international community to make concerted efforts for greater progress in realizing the MDGs, Brown said, adding that Britain is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in this endeavor.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the current international financial situation.

(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2008)