Madagascar Prime Minister Jacques Sylla told a visiting Chinese official in Antananarivo Friday that his country will continue to support China's position on the Taiwan issue and stick to the one-China principle.

Sylla also thanked China for its long-term aid to the African country and welcomed Chinese companies to invest in Madagascar.

Fu Ziying, Chinese assistant minister of commerce, thanked Sylla for his country's support and extended him regards from Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

Earlier, Fu met with Madagascar Deputy Prime Minister Zaza Manitranja Ramandimbiarison and signed with him an economic aid agreement, under which China will give Madagascar a grant of 20 million yuan (around US$2.4 million).

Since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1972, bilateral political and economic relations have been improving. At present, two-way trade totaled US$114 million a year. In addition, China has given Madagascar a grant of nearly 900 million yuan (around US$108 million).

(Xinhua News Agency February 28, 2004)