BEIJING - China would work with Guinea Bissau to promote traditional friendship and increase bilateral cooperation, said President Hu Jintao here Wednesday.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L Front) holds a welcoming ceremony for President of Guinea-Bissau Joao Bernardo Vieira (R) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Nov. 1, 2006. [Xinhua]

Hu made the remarks during the talks with his counterpart of Guinea Bissau Joao Bernardo Vieira, who was here on a state visit to China and would also attend the upcoming Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) holds a welcoming ceremony for President of Guinea-Bissau Joao Bernardo Vieira at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Nov. 1, 2006. Joao Bernardo Vieira is in Beijing for a state visit to China and also for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) scheduled for Nov. 4-5. [Xinhua]

"China and Guinea Bissau in recent years have enjoyed fruitful cooperation in various fields," Hu said, noting that the two nations supported each other in international affairs and witnessed sound development of bilateral friendly cooperation.

China appreciated Guinea Bissau's adherence to the one-China policy and its support for China's reunification, the president said.

To develop stable and cooperative relations between China and Guinea Bissau accords with the fundamental interests of both nations and both peoples, Hu said.

In order to enhance the China-Guinea Bissau friendly cooperation, Hu suggested the two nations maintain the momentum of high level visits and increase exchanges and cooperation between the two governments, parliaments and political parties.

The two nations should work hard to implement current economic and trade cooperation projects and expand cooperation in fishery, agriculture, infrastructure, personnel training, culture, education and health, Hu said.

Hu hoped the two nations would strengthen cooperation under the FOCAC framework, and enhance consultations and cooperation in international affairs, in an effort to jointly safeguard the legal interests of developing countries and to make contributions to the construction of a harmonious world.

Vieira said China was a friendly nation of Guinea Bissau. He expressed appreciation for China to provide Guinea Bissau with assistance to improve people's lives and help his country's social and economic progress.

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

Vieira said Guinea Bissau would push for the existing friendly cooperative relations with China, and deepen mutually-beneficial cooperation in fishery, agriculture and energy.

Vieira also hoped that the two nations would strengthen coordination in international affairs, since both sides shared common or similar views on such issues as reforms of the United Nations, poverty reduction and anti-terrorism.

Hu and Vieira agreed to make joint efforts to assure a complete success of the upcoming Beijing Summit scheduled for Nov. 4-5.

After the talks, the two presidents attended a signing ceremony of documents concerning bilateral economic and technological cooperation.