A reception was held in Beijing on Tuesday to celebrate the 35th anniversary of establishment of the China-Madagascar diplomatic relations.

The two countries forged diplomatic ties on November 6, 1972.

Feng Zuoku, vice president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), said the China-Madagascar relations have developed smoothly in the past years despite changes of international situation.

China appreciated that Madagascar had adhered to one-China policy and given active support to China in dealing with many international affairs, Feng said.

The CPAFFC would continue to make unremitting efforts to promote the friendly exchanges between the two peoples so as to deepen mutual understanding, Feng said.

Madagascan ambassador to China Victor Sikonina said that in recent years, in particular, since the Beijing Summit of the Forumon China-Africa Cooperation in 2006, the cooperation between China and Africa have born fruits, and both countries have strengthened cooperation in the fields of education, agriculture, telecommunications and manufacturing.

Sikonina said his country is ready to make joint efforts with China to further develop bilateral relations.

(Xinhua News Agency November 7, 2007)