Hu back in Beijing after five-nation visit

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-18 11:53

BEIJING -- Chinese President Hu Jintao returned to Beijing Wednesday morning after state visits to Saudi Arabia, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania and Mauritius since February 10.

President Hu Jintao receives a gift from Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam (second from right) yesterday. [Agencies]

Hu's Asia-Africa tour was aimed at enhancing China's friendship with developing countries in the region and reaffirming the basis of China's foreign policy.

Full Coverage:
Hu Visits Five Nations

Chinese President Hu Jintao left Mauritius Tuesday, wrapping up his five-nation "journey of friendship and cooperation."

The tour, which started on February 10, has also taken him to Saudi Arabia, Mali, Senegal and Tanzania.

During his trip, Hu met leaders of the five countries on the further development of friendship and cooperation. The Chinese president and his counterparts agreed to make joint efforts to push bilateral relations to a higher level.

China and the five countries signed a series of cooperation documents during Hu's visit.

Earlier Tuesday, Hu met with Paul Berenger, leader of the Mauritian Militant Movement party, in a bid to cement bilateral ties.

Hu said China-Mauritius relations have been developing in a healthy and steady manner, and this should firstly be attributed to the sound foundation of bilateral ties.

Hu praised the friendly policies pursued by main Mauritian parties toward China and their efforts to further improve China-Mauritius relations, saying such steps showcase the fact that friendship toward China is deeply rooted in the hearts of Mauritians and developing relations with China is a consensus shared by both ruling and opposition parties in Mauritius.

Hu presented a five-point proposal for advancing China-Mauritius ties during a meeting with Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam also on Tuesday.

First, the two countries should maintain the momentum of high-level visits, boost friendly communication between the two governments, legislative bodies, parties and citizens, and reinforce mutual political trust.

Second, the two sides should establish closer economic and trade cooperation, give full play to the role of the economic and trade mixed committees of the two countries, regularly exchange opinions on expanding fields of cooperation and promoting the level of cooperation, and make joint efforts to set up an economic and trade cooperation zone.

The Chinese government will continue to encourage and support Chinese companies to invest in Mauritius and stands ready to advance bilateral cooperation in infrastructure building.

Third, China and Mauritius should reinforce cooperation to deal with the international financial crisis. China is willing to exchange experience with Mauritius on tightening financial supervision, expanding domestic demand and pushing forward economic growth, and jointly explore effective ways to deal with the crisis.

Fourth, China and Mauritius should increase cultural exchanges, deepen cooperation in the fields of education, culture, sports, public health and tourism, and expand communications between the women and youth of the two countries, so as to ensure the China-Mauritius friendship continue from generation to generation.

Fifth, the two nations should enhance cooperation in international and regional affairs.

After the talks, the two leaders attended a signing ceremony of documents of cooperation between the two countries.

Hu also met with Mauritian President Anerood Jugnauth on Tuesday. Both presidents expressed willingness to further promote cooperation between the two nations in various fields.

China will continue to earnestly implement the measures adopted at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2006, to enhance and expand China-Africa cooperation under the new circumstance and to make the friendly cooperation even better in the future, the Chinese leader said.