President Hu Jintao flew into the Mozambican capital Maputo on Thursday, beginning his state visit to the southern African country.

 

In Maputo, Hu is expected to hold talks with Mozambican President Armando Emilio Guebuza and other Mozambican leaders on the further development of friendship and cooperation between China and Mozambique.

 

In a written statement released at the airport upon arrival, Hu said that the Mozambican people are diligent, brave and peace-loving. After the country gained independence, the Mozambican government and people have actively explored ways suitable to its national conditions.

 

With its endeavor to seek national unity, state stability and economic development, Mozambique has made noteworthy achievements, he said.

 

He also commended the contribution made by Mozambique for peace, stability and prosperity in Africa.

 

On bilateral ties, Hu said that the Chinese and Mozambican peoples forged deep friendship during the country's liberation struggle and the national construction after its independence.

 

Mozambique is a good friend, partner and brother of China, Hu said.

 

Hu's visit aimed at consolidating Sino-African traditional friendship, also plans to implement the results of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) last November, and expand pragmatic cooperation for common development.

 

"I, along with the Mozambican side, will draw the blueprint for the future of our relations," he said.

 

China and Mozambique have seen sound development of bilateral ties since the two countries forged diplomatic relations. In recent years, the two countries have had mutually beneficial cooperation in infrastructure, construction, agriculture and other areas.

 

In 2006, China agreed to endorse Mozambique the status of a new tourist destination for Chinese tourists in an effort to intensify bilateral cooperation in the tourism industry.

 

Hu is on the seventh leg of his eight-nation trip to Africa, which has already taken him to Cameroon, Liberia, Sudan, Zambia, Namibia and South Africa. His last stop is Seychelles.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2007)