China-Niger Ties: President Xi meets President Issoufou in Beijing

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Europe

02:12

Now to Beijing, where Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou has met with Chinese leaders on his five-day state visit to the country as CGTN's Sun Tianyuan reports.

Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed his Nigerien counterpart Mahamadou Issoufou to Beijing Tuesday.

Over the years, the two countries have enjoyed rich outcomes in cooperation since resuming diplomatic relations in 1996. Experts say they are optimistic about the strengthening of ties.

In 2018, China and Niger's trade volume reached nearly 290 million US dollars, a growth of 46 percent. Chinese construction companies signed about the same value of project contracts in Niger. And this time, the two countries are expected to reach more deals. Experts believe collaboration will continue to upgrade the West African country's infrastructure, and also its talent.

People-to-people exchanges between the two countries are expected to thrive in the IT sector. Issoufou says that Niger hopes to achieve more results from the new round of technology revolution.

SUN TIANYUAN BEIJING "The president also toured the headquarters of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba earlier in Hangzhou. Issoufou says his country is ready to work with China in training young IT entrepreneurs. Sun Tianyuan, CGTN, Beijing."