BEIJING, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki arrived here on Saturday morning for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation running from Nov 4 to 5.

    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.

    Upon Isaias Afwerki's arrival, a total of 48 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China have sent delegations to the two-day summit, 42 of which are headed by their leaders of state or government.