Wen calls on Congo
20 June 2006
Premier Wen Jiabao inked seven cooperation accords with the Republic of Congo on the third stop of a seven-nation tour to Africa. Congo's foreign ministry said the accords established the basis for economic, commercial and technical cooperation. China also offered to donate anti-malarial medicines and Congo agreed to buy two Chinese-made aircraft. Bilateral trade was worth US$2.05 billion dollars in 2005, according to official figures, with China importing oil and wood and exporting finished goods and construction equipment. In the past five years Chinese firms have won several contracts, including building the foreign ministry and the biggest hydroelectric dam in the country, north of Congolese capital Brazzaville.