BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) -- President Hu Jintao on Wednesday held talks with Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou.

Hu welcomed Issoufou for his attendance at the upcoming fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

He also spoke highly of the achievements Issoufou has made in Niger's economic development and the improvement of people's livelihoods there.

Hu said he believes the Niger government and people will score greater achievements in national construction.

Issoufou said he is looking forward to a fruitful ministerial meeting and visit to China.

The opening ceremony of the fifth FOCAC Ministerial Meeting will be held in Beijing on Thursday. Foreign ministers and ministers for foreign economic cooperation from China and 50 African countries, as well as African Union (AU) Commission Chairman Jean Ping, will attend the meeting.