"As a friend of the African countries, China has always supported the efforts of the African countries to achieve peace and development," said President Hu Jintao Thursday afternoon in meeting with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

Museveni participated in the Global Conference on Scaling Up Poverty Reduction in Shanghai.

Hu said that Sino-Ugandan relations have advanced steadily since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and their cooperation on trade, education and culture has been fruitful.

He expressed appreciation for the adherence of Uganda to the one-China policy, and thanked Uganda for its support to China on the Taiwan-related issues in the World Health Assembly.

Hu noted that China will work with Uganda to maintain the high-level exchanges of visits, enhance trade and economic cooperation and contacts between the parliaments, government agencies, parties and non-governmental organizations, as well as consultations in international affairs.

He said China will continue to offer assistance to Uganda within its capacity.

Museveni said that Uganda and China have enjoyed a long friendship, and whether in the anti-colonialism period, or during the process of national construction, Uganda has had support from China.

He stressed that Uganda is committed to the one-China policy, and hoped to make joint efforts with China to further the cooperation and friendship between the two countries.

(Xinhua News Agency May 28, 2004)