President Hu Jintao and visiting Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez witnessed the signing on Wednesday of five agreements to cement cooperation in the areas of plant and animal quarantine, information and telecommunications, film exhibition, economy and technology.

During the hour of formal talks that preceded the signing, Hu proposed that the two countries strengthen governmental, parliamentary and party-to-party exchanges and promote cooperation in energy, petrochemicals, light industry, machinery and electronics.

He also hopes to expand exchanges in terms of culture, education, science and technology, as well as enhancing cooperation on issues of international concern to such venues as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the World Health Organization and the Organization of American States.

China and Colombia established full diplomatic relations 25 years ago. Colombia has supported China on the issues of Taiwan and human rights on many occasions.

Uribe said that Colombia has a strong desire to develop political, economic and cultural cooperation with China, emphasizing such areas as investment, energy, textiles, agriculture, animal husbandry and tourism.

Uribe thanked China for its past support and assistance and pledged to uphold the one-China policy and support China's reunification.

Uribe arrived in Beijing Wednesday morning for his first state visit to China. His entourage includes several cabinet ministers and businesspeople. He will visit Shanghai as well as Beijing.

(Xinhua News Agency April 7, 2005)