Chinese President Hu Jintao told visiting Mozambican President Joaquim Alberto Chissano Monday that the Chinese government and people cherish their fraternal friendship with Mozambique and are willing to work with it to push forward bilateral relations.

To this end, the two sides need to keep the momentum of high-profile exchanges of visits and increase exchanges between the legislatures, governmental departments and political parties, Hu said.

Hu also proposed strengthening trade and economic ties, featuring cooperation in agriculture, mining, infrastructure construction and human resources development.

The two countries should also coordinate and cooperate more in international and regional affairs, he added.

Hu said China and Mozambique, based on their traditional friendship, have made remarkable progress in cooperation in various fields and supported each other in international affairs since they forged diplomatic relations 29 years ago.

Hu appreciated the stand of President Chissano and his government on the one-China policy and the support given to China on the Taiwan and human rights issues.

Chissano said the Mozambican people will never forget China’s firm support during his country’s struggle for independence and the valuable aid China provided after the establishment of diplomatic relations.

He agreed with Hu’s comments and proposals concerning bilateral relations, expressing the hope that the two countries strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in mining, agriculture, fishery and tourism.

Chissano stressed that Taiwan is a province of China and Mozambique will firmly support China’s cause of reunification.

Hu noted that Africa is playing an increasingly important role in international affairs since the general situation in Africa has been stabilizing, the economy has maintained growth, the African Union is developed comprehensively and the New Partnership for African Development has produced a blueprint for a promising future.

Although it is faced with many problems, Hu said, Africa would be able to revitalize as long as African countries work together unremittingly with the help of the international community.

As a friend of Africa, China always supports the efforts of African countries to realize peaceful development, said Hu.

With the concerted efforts of both sides, China and Africa will continue to make progress in their cooperative relations, he said.

Chissano said that China is a force for peace and development that has played an important role in boosting the progress of developing countries and striving for a just and reasonable world order.

He said he hopes China, which supports the New Partnership for African Development, will continue its active role in African affairs.

After the talks, Hu and Chissano signed two official documents on trade and economic cooperation.

(People's Daily April 6, 2004)