Chinese Vice President arrives in Accra

Accra (Greater Accra), 26 Jan. '99 --

Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao arrived in Accra today at the head of a 30-man official delegation to begin a three-day working visit to Ghana, the first in 35 years after that of Prime Minister Chou En Lai.. The jumbo jet carrying Vice President Hu and his entourage, including Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr Ji Peiding touched down at the Kotoka International Airport a few minutes ahead of the scheduled 1330 hours. Other members of the delegation are Deputy Foreign Trade Minister Mr Sun Guan Gxiang and Mr Ma Wen Pu, Deputy Head of Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist party.

Mr Hu, dressed in a dark suit descended the gangway and was met at its foot by his Ghanaian counterpart and host Professor John Evans Atta Mills amid shouts of welcome from dozens of flag-waving Chinese as well as Ghanaian well wishers. Led by Vice-President Mills, Mr Hu exchanged greetings with Ghanaian Ministers of State, Security Chiefs, Diplomats, Traditional rulers and members of the Chinese community in Ghana. Nii Tettey Kpobi Tsuru the second, La Mantse poured libation to thank God for the visitors' safe arrival and asked for a successful visit. In a short address before leaving the airport, Vice-President Hu told reporters that he was in Ghana to "boost the traditional fraternal friendship and expand the existing cordial relations and co-operation between the two countries". He recalled Ghana-China friendship, which he said dates back to old times. " Over many years, the two countries have had fruitful co-operation in the political, economic, trade, cultural, educational and other fields as well as international affairs. "The two peoples have learned from, supported and rendered sincere help to each other and forged a profound friendship", Vice President Hu added. The volume of trade between the two countries last year amounted to about 100 million dollars covering mainly cocoa and timber from Ghana, and home and electrical appliances from China. China is also engaged in the construction industry. Vice-President Hu said he looks forward to holding meetings and talks with Ghanaian senior officials to exchange views on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common interest. He expressed the hope that this would help to promote the existing friendly relations and co-operation between the two countries to new heights. Vice-President Hu will hold talks with President Jerry Rawlings tomorrow and interact with the Speaker of Parliament Mr Justice D. F. Annan on Thursday and sign an agreement between the two countries before leaving.