China and Eritrea should strengthen cooperation in an all-round way and put economy and trade as top priority, Chinese President Hu Jintao told visiting Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki yesterday.

Hu said that China will take measures to expand Eritrean imports and encourage domestic companies to invest in the country.

Isaias shared with Hu's view, saying that China's assistance has been very important for the development of the Eritrean people.He hoped China can continue to play an active role in facilitatingthe development of African continent.

Isaias and other leaders and high-ranking officials from 48 African countries attended the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation which closed on Sunday.

Eritrea established diplomatic ties with China on May 24, 1993,the very day when the country proclaimed independence. The president paid a state visit to China in 2005. Bilateral trade reached 8.41 million U. S. dollars in 2005.