The ADB president came for the 2007 Annual Meetings of the Board of Governors of African Development Bank Group, to be held here from May 16 to 17, at which Wen will deliver a speech.

The ADB helps improve people's lives and the economy of its member countries in Africa, particularly the least developed ones, with preferential loans and technological assistance, said Wen.

China has made various and constructive cooperation with the ADB since the country became an ADB member in 1985, Wen said.

Through the ADB, China shares poverty-relief experience with African counterparts and has provided 314 million US dollars to 14 projects in eight African countries, Wen said.

Kaberuka appreciated China's preparation for this year's annual meetings and China's role in the poverty relief and debt cancellation.

The ADB supports and appreciates China's stance on the Darfur issue, he said.

Wen stressed that strengthening cooperation with African countries is an important part of China's diplomatic policy.

China maintains an open and transparent relationship with Africa, Wen said.

The Chinese government is willing to consolidate communication and cooperation with the international community on aiding Africa, Wen said.

It will be the first time the annual board meetings of the ADB are held in Asia, and the second time outside Africa. In 2001, the bank's annual board meetings were held in Spain.

It is another significant Africa-related event in China, following the Beijing Summit of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum held in November 2006.

Themed "African and Asia: Partners in Development", the meetings will focus on infrastructure development in Africa, regional integrity and poverty relief.

Founded in 1964, the ADB has 77 members from Africa, America, Europe and Asia.

China donates 8 million USD to WHO for helping African countries

The Chinese government has decided to donate 8 million US dollars to the World Health Organization (WHO) for supporting African countries' health cause, Chinese Health Minister Gao Qiang said in GENEVA on Tuesday.

Addressing the annual assembly of the UN agency, Gao said the money would be mainly used for the establishment and improving of African countries' disease surveillance network, enhancing their capability for disease control and public health emergency response.

Gao said developing countries suffer deeply from the prevalence of diseases, mainly due to their weak public health infrastructure and difficulties in finance, personnel and technology.

He called on the WHO and developed countries to increase their aid for public health system building in developing countries.

China, as a developing country, still faces many difficulties in its domestic health development, but it is ready to make contributions and work with the WHO and the international community for building a global health security network, Gao said.

The WHO's 60th annual assembly opened in Geneva on Monday. Delegates from the body's 193 member states will discuss a series of health security issues in the 10-day conference.