Kabila, the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, visits Yichang with his delegation on September 4 to 5, accompanied by Wang Tongqing, Chinese Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Gan Rongkun, deputy governor of Hubei province.

　　On the morning of September 5, Ma Xuming, deputy secretary and mayor of Yichang municipality, meets Kabila and his delegation in Taohualing Hotel.

　　On behalf of the government, Ma Xuming extends a warm welcome to Kabila and his delegation, and gives a brief introduction of Yichang. Ma said that the overall strength of Yichang ranks the second in Hubei province; that the Three Gorges project, the world’s largest hydro power project, and over 400 hydro power stations are located here. Though apart thousand miles away, Yichang and Africa has a long history of friendship and cooperation. Since 1986, Yichang has sent over 200 doctors to Africa to participate in medical aid. Besides, both sides has an increasingly close cooperation in agriculture technology and engineering. He said Yichang is willing to strength ties with the Democratic Republic of Congo, to continue to deepen mutual understanding, expand cooperation areas, enhance mutual friendship and make contributions to the friendship and progress between China and Africa.

　　I just participated in the 70th Anniversary of Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War and now visit Yichang. My aim is to further consolidate and develop China-Congo friendly relations, Kabila said. Rich in tourism resources, Yichang is a beautiful riverside city with a strong industrial base in Hubei province. It is a true world’s capital of water and electricity. The successful construct of the Three Gorges hydro power project gives an important reference to the construction of Inga hydro power project in Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as the development of hydro power projects in Africa. We hope the two sides will further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of energy construction, equipment manufacturing, biomedical, and university education to promote the development of the bilateral strategic cooperation partnership.

　　Kabila visited the Memorial Hall of the Three Gorges Project, the Three Gorges ship lock and the power house during the times, accompanied by deputy mayor Zhou Zhengying.  (Reporter: Zheng Guanghua)