President Hu Jintao and Mozambican President Armando Guebuza held talks in Maputo on Thursday and pledged to advance the relations between their two countries to a new high.

 

During the talks, Hu said China and Mozambique have developed a profound traditional friendship and have had fruitful cooperation in economy and trade, culture, education and health in their 31 years of diplomatic relations.

 

The Chinese government has attached great importance to its relations with Mozambique and will work together with the Mozambican government and people to implement measures adopted last November at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Hu noted.

 

To uplift the bilateral relations, Hu proposed that China and Mozambique enhance the exchanges of high-level visits and political mutual trust, deepen their economic cooperation, strengthen the cultural and people-to-people interactions and boost their coordination in international affairs.

 

Guebuza said the Chinese government and people have given vital support to the Mozambican people when they faced difficulties, and the two countries have cemented their friendly relations since the independence of Mozambique. He reiterated that Mozambique adheres to the one-China policy.

 

Guebuza said Hu's proposal on the development of bilateral relations and China's assistance are of great importance in promoting Mozambique's economic and social progress and helping the country eradicate poverty.

 

Guebuza hoped that Mozambique will learn from China's experience in social and economic development and enhance its cooperation with China in infrastructure, agriculture, education, tourism and exploitation of natural resources.

 

After the talks, Hu and Guebuza witnessed the signing of eight documents on bilateral cooperation in economy, technology, agriculture, education and sports.

 

Later in the day, Hu met with Eduardo Mulembwe, president of the Mozambican parliament. At the meeting, Hu stressed that the two countries should further bolster their economic and trade links and strive to achieve common development.

 

In the evening, Hu called on staff members of the Chinese embassy in Mozambique and representatives of Chinese enterprises in the African country and the local Chinese community before attending a banquet given in his honor by Guebuza.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2007)