Premier Wen Jiabao met with Guinea Bissau President Joao Bernardo Vieira, who is in Beijing on a state visit and will attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

 

Wen said relations between China and Guinea Bissau had developed steadily. The two countries respected and trusted each other, enjoyed mutually beneficial economic cooperation and supported each other in international affairs.

 

China had helped Guinea Bissau in agriculture and social welfare projects such as building hospitals, gymnasiums and houses, he said.

 

The government of Guinea Bissau supported China on the Taiwan issue and China appreciated the Guinea Bissau parliament had just approved a resolution on adhering one-China policy, Wen said.

 

China was willing to develop the friendly cooperation and provide aid within its ability, he said.

 

Vieira said Guinea Bissau and China enjoyed a history of friendly exchanges.

 

He expressed appreciation for China's assistance, saying his government hoped to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in fisheries, agriculture, energy and infrastructure.

 

He invited Chinese companies to invest in Guinea Bissau.

 

Vieira reiterated that Guinea Bissau would firmly stick to the one-China policy.

 

Earlier on Wednesday, President Hu Jintao held talks with Vieira and they attended a signing ceremony of documents concerning bilateral economic and technological cooperation.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 2, 2006)