In an exchange of views visiting Premier Wen Jiabao and Ghanaian President John Agyekum Kufuor Sunday night discussed the further promotion of the traditional bilateral friendship of the two countries, the expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation and other subjects of common inertest.  

 

They signed documents on cooperation in economic development, trade, education and health. 

 

Wen arrived in Accra Sunday afternoon on a two-day official visit at the invitation of President Kufuor. 

 

Ghana is the second leg of Wen's seven-African nation tour, which has already taken him to Egypt. He'll also visit the Republic of the Congo, Angola, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda. 

 

In a written statement delivered upon arrival at the airport Wen said China and Ghana shared a profound traditional friendship. 

 

"Over the past half century or so the relationship between China and Ghana has withstood the test of time and changes in the international environment and registered strong growth," he said. 

 

Wen is scheduled to attend a ceremony today for the completion of a road in Ghana built with technical assistance and an interest-free loan from the Chinese government. 

 

This is Wen's second visit to Africa. He went to Ethiopia in 2003 to attend the second ministerial meeting of China-Africa Cooperation Forum. 

 

"Wen's visit is another important step for China in its diplomacy toward Africa following the publication of an African policy document earlier this year and a successful visit by President Hu Jintao to three African nations in April," said the Foreign Ministry's spokesman Liu Jianchao ahead of Wen's trip.

 

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 19, 2006)