Mali's First Lady terms China as true friend

Mali's First Lady Keita Aminata Maiga has said "China is genuinely concerned about the needs of the Malian people."

The Malian First Lady was speaking on Tuesday night during a dinner hosted in Bamako by China's ambassador to Mali Lu Huiying.

"The friendship between Mali and China did not begin today. I had the opportunity to witness the start of this cooperation in 1960s," she said, adding that "this is why I gladly responded to the invitation by the ambassador to demonstrate the friendship between the two countries."

She said the Chinese had done a lot, and will still do a lot for Mali.

"I am sure that they are genuinely concerned about our issues as a people and country, and I believe they will do everything within their powers to satisfy our needs," Madam Keita affirmed.

The Chinese ambassador said relations between the two countries were reinforced in 2014, especially following the visit to China by President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

"The year 2015 marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Mali," the ambassador recalled, and at the same time appealed to both countries to use the opportunity to achieve more results.

The dinner which was organized to celebrate China's Spring Festival, was attended by Malian government ministers, parliamentarians and diplomats. Endi