CHINESE PREMIER WEN JIABAO MET AFRICAN UNION CHAIRMAN AND CONGOLESE PRESIDENT DENIS SASSOU NGUESSO ON MONDAY DURING A SEVEN-NATION TOUR OF A CONTINENT WHOSE OIL AND MINERALS ARE INCREASINGLY FUELLING CHINESE GROWTH, REUTERS REPORTED. WEN MET SASSOU, WHO HOLDS THE ROTATING AFRICAN UNION CHAIR FOR ONE YEAR, FOR AROUND 30 MINUTES BEFORE LEAVING DELEGATIONS FROM BOTH GOVERNMENTS INCLUDING CONGO'S MINISTERS OF TRADE, OIL FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND HEALTH TO TWO HOURS OF MORE DETAILED TALKS. "CONGO REMAINS A FRIENDLY COUNTRY WITH WHOM WE HAVE LONG HAD AMICABLE RELATIONS," WEN SAID AFTER MEETING SASSOU. "THE PRESIDENT OF THE AFRICAN UNION WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE CHINA-AFRICA SUMMIT," HE ADDED, REFERRING TO A MEETING IN CHINA IN NOVEMBER TO PROMOTE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE WORLD'S MOST POPULOUS NATION AND ITS POOREST CONTINENT. WEN'S DELEGATION WAS EXPECTED TO SIGN AGREEMENTS WITH CONGO COVERING ECONOMIC AND HEALTH AFFAIRS DURING THE OVERNIGHT VISIT. WEN HAS ALREADY VISITED EGYPT AND GHANA ON HIS WHISTLESTOP TOUR OF AFRICA. BEIJING HAS IN RECENT YEARS BEEN OFFERING AID AND LOANS FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN RETURN FOR ACCESS TO OIL, MINERALS AND OTHER RESOURCES FOR ITS FAST-GROWING ECONOMY.
