Chinese, Ghanaian Vice-presidents Hold Talks

Chinese Vice-President Holds Welcoming Ceremony In Honor of His Ghana Counterpart

Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao on Monday told his visiting Ghanaian counterpart John Evans Atta Mills that China hopes to work together with Ghana to bring Sino-Ghanaian friendship and relations of cooperation which are vital, stable, and comprehensive into the 21st Century.

Hu made the remarks during holding talks with Mills in Beijing.

As developing countries, China and Ghana face the common task of safeguarding national sovereignty and integrity while at the same time developing their economies, he noted. It is therefore in the interests of both sides to make the most of their mutual goodwill and deepen bilateral cooperation in all fields.

Hu expressed satisfaction with the progress of bilateral relations since the two countries established diplomatic ties 40 years ago.

Two-way cooperation in politics, economy, trade, science and culture have been fruitful and both countries have been supportive of each other in the international arena, he said.

Recent years have witnessed frequent exchange of visits between senior leaders of both countries and continued progress of bilateral cooperation, Hu said, adding that China is most pleased with the smooth development of bilateral relations.

On China's relations with African nations, Hu said that it has been an important part of China's independent foreign policy of peace to strengthen and develop unity and cooperation with African nations and other developing countries.

China will, as always, devote itself to enhancing its friendship and ties of cooperation with Africa, and promoting the peace and development of Africa, he said.

Hu stressed that China will, along with all developing countries including African countries, continue to work toward the establishment of a just and rational new world political and economic order.

Hu also expressed appreciation to the Ghanaian government for its adherence to the One-China policy and support of China's reunification cause.

Hu also spoke highly of Ghana's success in maintaining national stability, developing its economy and improving people's living standards, and of its increasingly important role in maintaining peace and stability in the region, promoting regional development and in handling African and global issues.

Mills said that Ghana regards China not only as its trust-worthy friend but also a trust friend of Africa as a whole.

Ghana hopes to expand its existing good relations with China, because it's in Ghana's interests to enhance contact with an emerging economic power like China, he stressed.

He also expressed satisfaction with the fact that both countries have been cooperating closely and supporting each other in international organizations and on other occasions.

Mills reiterated that Ghana will unswervingly hold to the One-China policy and it supports the ministerial-level conference of the China-African Cooperation Forum to be held here this autumn.

Hu held a welcoming ceremony for Mills before the talks. After the talks, both attended the signing ceremony of two agreements, one on economic and technological cooperation between both governments and the other on establishing a system of consultation between both foreign ministries.