As the world's largest developing country, consolidating and
developing cooperation with other developing countries is a
cornerstone of China's foreign policy. China strives to strengthen
its cooperation, promote South-South cooperation and establish just
and rational new world order. At the beginning of 2004, Chinese
President Hu Jintao paid state visits to Egypt, Gabon, and Algeria.
The Sino-Arab Cooperation Forum set up during his visits has
solidified and expanded the Sino-Arab relationship of all-round
mutually beneficial cooperation. In November 2004, President Hu
Jintao visited Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Cuba, laying a solid
foundation for the long-term, stable development of all-round
friendly cooperation between these Latin American countries and
China. Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing paid formal visits to Sudan,
Cameroon, Djibouti, and Uganda in early 2004.
Frequent visits to China were made by heads of state and government
leaders during the course of the year, representing Suriname, Papua
New Guinea, Yemen, Mozambique, Madagascar, Burundi, Syria,
Argentina, Fiji, Kuwait, Mali, Namibia, Jordan, Bahamas, Central
African Republic, Gabon, Vanuatu, Ethiopia, Venezuela, and
Mauritius.