Chinese Vice-President Meets Malagasy President and FM
*The China-Madagascar friendly cooperation is full of vitality and vigor, and based on sincere friendship and equal footing, visiting Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao said January 25 in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
China hopes Madagascar will overcome its problems in the course of development, maintain political stability and keep sustainable economic growth, he said.
Hu, who is here in Antananarivo on a three-day official visit to Madagascar, said this when he called on Malagasy President Didier Ratsiraka.
Describing Ratsiraka as a renowned politician and China's old friend, Hu said the president has made important contributions to the friendship between the two peoples and the relations between the two states.
Hu thanked Madagascar for its forceful support to China at many UN conferences on human rights.
He also spoke highly of the Malagasy government and people for taking an active attitude in exploring a path for development which is suitable to their own circumstances, while striving to safeguard national stability, improving its economy and its people's living standards.
He noted that Madagascar is well located with abundant natural resources which have great potential for further development.
He conveyed best wishes from Chinese President Jiang Zemin to Ratsiraka, who asked Hu to return best regards to Jiang.
Hu also briefed the Madagascar president on China's political and economic developments.
Ratsiraka recalled his four visits to China, speaking highly of China's firm stance to safeguard the state independence and sovereignty, uphold justice in international affairs and make outstanding contributions to promoting unity and cooperation among the developing nations.
He also expressed appreciation for China's policy to stabilize the value of its currency Renminbi.
Later Monday, Hu will visit a gymnasium and a housing project, which are built with Chinese assistance, before attending a welcoming dinner hosted by Prime Minister Tantely Andrianarivo.
The Chinese vice-president is scheduled to leave Madagascar for Ghana Tuesday.
*China valued its traditional friendship with Madagascar and is ready to make concerted efforts to push forward bilateral relations in a comprehensive way.
Visiting Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao made the remarks Sunday afternoon during talks with Madagascar Prime Minister Tantely Andrianarivo.
He said this 21st-century oriented relationship is characterized by long-term stability, equality, mutual benefit and sincere cooperation.
During the talks, both sides exchanged views on bilateral ties and on international and regional issues of shared concern.
Hu said bilateral friendly cooperation has been advancing in a sustainable and stable way while exchanges and cooperation in various fields have been fruitful.
Contacts and exchange of visits between leaders of the two nations and various departments are on the rise while non-governmental exchanges are frequent, he said, adding the economic and trade cooperation is also proceeding smoothly and areas of cooperation are expanding with satisfactory results.
He noted that China is shifting from the planned economy to the
socialist market economy, in which enterprises will be the main body of the country's external economic cooperation.
The Chinese government encourages and supports its enterprises to undertake mutually beneficial cooperation in various forms in Madagascar, Hu said.
He thanked Madagascar for its support to China in many UN human rights conferences, saying both nations, as developing ones, support each other in international affairs.
Last September, Hu continued, the Madagascar government abolished the so- called "special arrangement" with Taiwan, which indicates Madagascar government's firm stance on "one China" policy.
This is the support to China's reunification cause, and China appreciates it very much, Hu said, adding that strengthening unity and cooperation is in the common interests of the two nations.
During the talks, Andrianarivo said his government is striving to develop its economy and he believed the government's plan and goal to eliminate poverty can soon be realized.
He stated that his government and people have developed a special friendly feeling toward the Chinese people.
China has offered sincere yet effective assistance to Madagascar's economic development and he hoped bilateral friendly cooperation be expanded, he said.
He said Madagascar will continue to support China's stance on the Taiwan issue and wishes that it will achieve reunification at an early date.
After the talks, Hu and Andrianarivo attended a signing ceremony of two documents, one on bilateral economic and technological cooperation and the other on China's supply of preferential loans to Madagascar.
Also on Sunday, Hu met with overseas Chinese living in Madagascar. He said they have served as important links for the Sino-Madagascar friendship.
The vice-president also encouraged the Chinese embassy staff and Madagascar-based Chinese firms to make further efforts for Sino-Madagascar friendship.
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