Dahomey is one of the oldest nations in West Africa. Though it became a republic only three years ago—on August 1, 1960—the Kingdom of Dahomey came into existence some eight centuries ago.
Direct contact between Dahomey and China, one of the oldest nations in Asia, was not made until March, 1963, when a 12-man Chinese farm demonstration team arrived in Porto-Novo to help the Dahomans plant rice and other crops. Green rice shoots sprouted from barren saline land for the first time. As the impressed farmers of Dahomey looked on, the Chinese team dug irrigation canals, sprayed insecticides, applied fertilizers, and leached the salt out of the soil. In June, Dahomans and Chinese joined in a joyous ceremony to celebrate the country's first rice harvest.
President Chiang welcomes Dahomey President Hubert Maga. (File photo)
President Hubert Maga gave his personal attention to what some called the near-miracle of agricultural progress. Twice he went to the fields to see how things were going and to offer encouragement. After the harvest, he held a reception for members of the team.
With such a favorable impression of China, President and Madame Maga graciously accepted the invitation of the Chinese government to visit Taiwan October 7-12. President Maga was the second African chief, and the first from continental Africa, to visit China. President Philibert Tsiranana of the island Republic of Malagasy came to Taiwan April 3-8, 1962.
The Dahomey first couple was accompanied by an entourage of 10. The party included Foreign Minister Emile-Derlin Zinsou, Minister of Justice Joseph Keke, Chief of General Staff Col. Christoph Soglo, Congressman Bernadin Abikanlou, and Deputy Director of Information Rene Dossa.
China rolled out its red carpet for the distinguished guests. As President Maga's chartered CAT Mandarin jet approached Taiwan the morning of October 7, it was met by 24 Chinese Air Force Saber Jets and escorted to a landing at Taipei's Sungshan airport. President and Madame Chiang Kai-shek, smiling their pleasure and welcoming sentiments, greeted their guests at planeside and introduced them to Vice President Chen Cheng, other high-ranking government officials, and members of the diplomatic corps. Chinese Army artillery pieces sounded a 21-gun salute, and the two presidents reviewed an honor guard
Same Ideals
Attired in traditional Chinese long gown, acting Taipei Mayor Chou Pai-lien presented a gold "key of friendship" to the visiting African chief of state.
Some 150,000 well-wishers lined Taipei streets under more than 30 colorful pai-lous (ceremonial arches) to shout "Bienvenu!" as the state guests were driven to the Grand Hotel.
President Maga issued an arrival statement stressing that the people of the Republic of China and Dahomey "have the same ideals of liberty and democracy, the same love of justice and the same desire for peace."
He said his visit to China will "strengthen the friendly relations which have already existed between our two countries."
At a state dinner the evening of October 7, President Chiang said China and Dahomey had been enjoying amicable relations. The training of Dahomey agriculturists in Taiwan and the presence of a Chinese farm demonstration team in Dahomey, he said, indicate the close ties between the two peoples.
The Chinese chief of state also praised President Maga's leadership in achieving political, economic, and social progress in Dahomey, and Madame Maga's contributions to the woman's movement in the West African nation.
Trip South
In response" President Maga expressed admiration for President Chiang's life-long dedication to freedom and democracy, and for his leadership of the Chinese people from hardship to prosperity. He said in the world today, it is imperative for peoples of friendship and goodwill to maintain frequent contacts and strive for unity.
After a busy morning October 8, in which he laid a wreath at the Chinese Martyr's Shrine and visited the Shihmen dam near Taipei, President Maga received members of the third Agricultural Seminar for African Technicians. The seminar, which opened in July, is sponsored by the Sino-African Technical Cooperation Association, a non-profit organization encouraging cooperation between China and African nations. The president told the trainees to work hard and carry home the knowledge they had acquired in China in order to benefit their fellow-Africans.
Meanwhile, Madame Maga was visiting the Hua Hsing Orphanage, military dependents housing units, the Chinese Women's Anti-Aggression League, and the Taiwan Handicraft Promotion Center.
Accompanied by C. T. Yang, Chinese Economic Affairs Minister, the African first couple flew to Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan October 9 for a seven-hour visit to industrial installations there. They saw a military exercise at a nearby naval base. More than 100,000 Kaohsiung citizens gave them a rousing welcome.
Military Parade
On the morning of October 10, President and Madame Maga were guests of honor at a 12,000-man military parade demonstrating free China's counter-offensive might. Marching past the reviewing stand were crack-troops, WACs, and military academy cadets. Tanks, guns, and missiles also passed by, and jet warplanes roared overhead. The African leader congratulated President Chiang on the military spectacle.
President Maga receives Africans attending third Taiwan agricultural seminar. (File photo)
In the afternoon, the Magas were thrilled by the precision flying of the famous Thunder Tiger team of the Chinese Air Force. The deeply impressed African president showed his appreciation by inviting the fliers to dinner.
Before President Maga's departure October 12, a joint communique was issued. President Maga and President Chiang stressed the necessity of safeguarding racial equality, human justice, and peace through "concrete actions." They pledged their mutual efforts to bring about closer relations between the Republics of China and Dahomey.
The highlight of President Maga's visit was his participation in China's Double Tenth celebrations. He was first foreign chief of state to be present at Chinese ceremonies marking the national day.
"It is only by maintaining freedom and justice that human dignity can be assured," the communique said. "And it is only by developing the spirit of fraternity and mutual help that human civilization can continue to prosper. It is with this belief that the two chiefs of state have expressed their desire of continued cooperation to attain this goa1."
The two leaders said they had, in an atmosphere of great cordiality, exchanged views 'about the international situation. They believe, the communique added, that close Sino-Dahomey collaboration in the United Nations and other international organizations not only has benefited the two peoples, but also has contributed to world peace and progress.
Taipei newspapers attached great importance to President Maga's visit. The Public Opinion Daily News said: "President Maga is the national father of his Republic and beloved by his people. There is much to be done by free China and Dahomey in world affairs. The two countries need to cooperate in anti-Communist work, in the United Nations, and in Afro-Asian relations."
The China Daily News said: "The Chi-Dahomey rice-growing experiments have contributed much to the economic future of the country. During his stay in Taiwan, President Maga was shown economic reconstruction and land reform. Free China's experience in land utilization provides a good example for developing countries.
"We hope President Maga will convey the Chinese people's sincere friendship to the people of his own country and all Africa."
The United Daily News said: "President Maga's firm stand in anti-Communist activities is well known to the Chinese people. Dahomey has not established diplomatic ties with any member of the Communist bloc.
"Nevertheless, the Communist bloc has not given up its ambitions in Africa. Free China's long experience in the 'anti-Communist struggle and its achievements in reconstucting Taiwan undoubtedly will have value for President Maga."
Dahomey first couple were honored guests at Double Tenth national day military parade. (File photo)
The English-language China Post said: "We are glad that President and Madame Maga have come on the eve of Double Tenth, our national day. On this festive occasion when all the Chinese people here and abroad celebrate the founding of the Chinese Republic, our distinguished guests from Dahomey have a chance to witness with their own eyes the patriotic fervor of the Chinese people and the might of the Chinese armed forces, which help keep the peace in the Western Pacific.
"We hope that with increased understanding between the Dahoman and Chinese people there will be still closer cooperation between the two countries in the years to come."
President Maga's visit directed attention to the fact that of the 33 independent African nations, 19 have established diplomatic ties with the Republic of China and only 10 with the Peiping regime.
Technical assistance, not propaganda, is free China's way stretching out its hand in friendship. Aside from receiving African technicians for agricultural training, China has sent farm demonstration teams to the Congo (Brazzaville), the Congo (Leopoldville), Dahomey, Ethiopia, Gabon, the Ivory Coast, Liberia, Libya, and Madagascar. A group of water conservation experts may go to Dahomey at the request of President Maga, made when he visited Shihmen dam.