The African Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday concluded its two-day annual board meetings in Shanghai, boosting Africa-China ties in the process.

ADB President Donald Kaberuka hailed the meetings as "a success". He said the discussions on a wide range of issues were constructive and the organization flawless.

Around 2,000 people attended the meetings, including Rwandan President Paul Kagame, President of Cape Verde Pedro Pires and Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana.

In his address at the opening ceremony, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao highlighted the importance of China-Africa ties and proposed new ways to further cooperation in various areas.

It was the first time the annual board meetings of the ADB had been held in Asia, and the second time outside Africa.

Participants focused their discussions on ADB reform, development financing, debt management, aid to vulnerable countries and Asian-African cooperation, among other issues.

People's Bank of China President Zhou Xiaochuan, who chaired the meetings, said the meetings helped give birth to an ADB blueprint on how to carry out poverty eradication and development programs in a more effective way.

A series of business seminars were staged on the sidelines of the ADB board meetings, which helped companies and entrepreneurs, Chinese or African, establish contacts and discuss deals.

The meetings also provided a platform for African countries and China to carry forward their partnership, following the Beijing Summit of China-Africa Cooperation Forum held in November 2006.

The next ADB board meetings will be held in Maputo, Mozambique next May.

Founded in 1964, the ADB has 77 members from Africa, America, Europe and Asia. China became a member in 1985.