Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana held talks on Thursday with Chinese government representative Zhai Jun on promoting relations between their two countries.

 

Zhai, who arrived in Antananrivo on Wednesday for Friday's inauguration ceremony of Ravalomanana, conveyed congratulations from President Hu Jintao on his re-election in December as president of Madagascar for another five-year term.

 

China-Madagascar relations have expanded remarkably and cooperation has been fruitful since the two countries established diplomatic relations 35 years ago, Zhai said.

 

Zhai, who is an assistant to Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, thanked Ravalomanana for his one-China position and support for China in international affairs.

 

China was ready to strengthen cooperation with Madagascar in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture and human resources development to further promote their friendly relations, he added.

 

Ravalomanana thanked the Chinese government for its economic assistance and said that his government is eager to enhance cooperation with China in natural resources development and infrastructure.

 

He said he appreciated the constructive results achieved at November's Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.?

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 19, 2007)