Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday pledged to increase aid to African countries, cancel part of their debts, and expand trade with and investment in these countries.
　　The Chinese president, who is on his first visit to this western African nation, made the pledge while meeting with his Malian counterpart Amadou Toumany Toure.
　　Hu was accorded a 21-gun salute in a welcome ceremony before the two presidents started their talks.
　　At the landmark China-Africa summit in 2006, China announced eight measures to promote ties with Africa, including massive tariff cuts and debt exemptions and doubling aid to Africa over a three-year period.
　　In the past two years, China has increased aid to African countries, eliminated tariff for goods from some least developed African nations, and cancelled part of the debts owed by African countries, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun said days ahead of Hu's visit.
　　Trade between China and African countries increased to 106.8 billion U.S. dollars last year from just under 40 billion dollars in 2005, according to the Chinese Commerce Ministry.
　　Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Malian counterpart Amadou Toumany Toure met here Thursday for talks on deepening bilateral ties.
　　Chinese diplomats said Hu and Toure were expected to exchange views on strengthening the friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. Full story
　　Hundreds of Malian people waving flags welcomed Chinese President Hu Jintao on his arrival on Thursday in the Mali capital of Bamako on his first visit to this western African nation.
　　Hu was received by his Malian counterpart Amadou Toumany Toure at the airport and by big crowds lining the main streets of Bamako.