The proposal includes enhancing political relations, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation and expanding cooperation in the fields of education, culture, public health and development of human resources.

Hu said that China would maintain high-level contact with Madagascar and enhance consultations, coordination and cooperation in affairs between the two countries' governments.

He pointed out that China encourages its enterprises to invest in Madagascar and will continue to offer help wherever possible.

China and Madagascar have enjoyed a long friendship and bilateral relations have developed steadily, noted Hu. Their cooperation in all fields, since the establishment of diplomatic ties, has borne fruit.

Hu expressed his appreciation of Ravalomanana's adherence to the one-China policy and the seriousness with which he has viewed Madagascar's relations with China during his presidency.

Hu said that China has long valued its relations with African countries, and will, through the mechanisms of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, build a long-term, stable and cooperative partnership with these countries in accordance with the principles of mutual benefit and common progress.

Ravalomanana expressed gratitude for Chinese people's generous assistance and support to Madagascar over the years. He said that he had come to China to study its experience in reform and economic development, advance the friendly relationship and expand cooperation in such fields as infrastructure construction and development of natural and human resources.

He reaffirmed that Madagascar would firmly adhere to the one-China policy and support China's peaceful reunification.

After their talk, the two presidents attended a ceremony to sign an agreement between China and Madagascar on economic and technological cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2004)