China and Mauritius vowed in Beijing Tuesday to further cooperation in specialized fields to boost national development.

 

China and Mauritius are both committed to developing their national economy, and should cement their cooperation in fields such as light industry, textiles, agriculture, fishery and trade, said Premier Wen Jiabao.

 

Wen made the proposal in talks with his Mauritius counterpart Navinchandra Ramgoolam. He also suggested the two sides consolidate work in the cultural, educational, public health and tourism fields.

 

Wen expressed his appreciation to Mauritius for its long-term support for the one-China policy.

 

On China-Africa relations, Wen said the peace and prosperity of the world depends on the stability and development of Africa and the international community should respect African countries' right to choose the path for their national development.

 

"(The international community) should carry out its promise of assistance to African countries and help them promote national development and address conventional and unconventional security issues", Wen added.

 

China has offered unselfish assistance to many African countries for years and is now working even harder to improve the quality and level of bilateral cooperation and share benefits with the African people, Wen noted.

 

Ramgoolam said that Mauritius highly values its ties with China, and highlighted the rapid growth of bilateral relations since the two forged diplomatic relations 35 years ago.

 

Mauritius and China have supported each other on many regional and international issues such as UN reform, and Mauritius appreciates China's support for the country's desire to maintain its territorial sovereignty and boost its economy, Ramgoolam said.

 

He promised that Mauritius would continue to adhere to the one-China policy and support Chinese reunification.

 

After the talks, Wen and Ramgoolam attended the signing ceremony of a China-Mauritius economic and technological cooperation agreement.

 

On the same day, Wen also met with visiting Syrian Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs Abdullah al-Dardari. The two exchanged views on how to boost bilateral trade and on the latest developments in the situation in the Middle East region.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 11, 2007)