President Thomas Boni Yayi of the Republic of Benin will pay a
state visit to China from August 27 to September 2, Chinese Foreign
Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao announced today.
China resumed diplomatic ties with the West African country in
1972 after a break of six years. The upcoming visit will be Yayi's
first China tour since he took office in April.
Since 1972, China has provided US$200 million in aid to Benin,
and offered training programs and assistance with infrastructure
and fishery, agriculture and industry development.
Sino-Beninese trade was worth US$690 million in 2004.
(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2006)
