President Jiang told President Yalla, who is currently on a working visit to China, that the strengthening of bilateral friendship and expansion of friendly cooperation will serve the common interests of the people of China and Guinea Bissau, both developing countries.

Despite the great geographic distance, Jiang said, the people of the two countries have cherished their friendship since the time of the struggle for independence in Guinea Bissau.

In spite of setbacks in bilateral relations, the two countries opened a new chapter in their relationship after the resumption of their diplomatic relations in 1998, Jiang noted. Bilateral cooperation in the areas of politics, trade and health has since progressed smoothly.

Over the years, China has offered assistance to Guinea Bissau within its capacity and it will actively encourage its strong firms to invest in the African nation and help upgrade bilateral relations to new high, he said.

Moreover, Jiang briefed Yalla on China's stance on the issue of Taiwan and the follow-up actions after the ministerial-level China-Africa Cooperation Forum was held successfully in the year 2000.

Following the forum, China fulfilled its commitment to forgive debt by signing agreements with 31 African countries. China-Africa cooperation in the areas of human resources development, tourism, environmental protection and finance has also been enhanced.

And a senior officials meeting was held last month in Ethiopia in preparation for the second ministerial-level cooperation forum to be held next year.

President Jiang said he was convinced that, through the joint efforts of both China and African nations, the follow-up actions of the forum will go on moving forward, and the mechanism of the ministerial-level meeting will effectively advance China-Africa relations.

President Yalla thanked China for its assistance, and said the Chinese people are the sincere, great friends of the people of Guinea Bissau.

Moreover, the president said, although Guinea Bissau had made mistakes in its relations with China, it has finally returned to the correct path and resolutely severed all form of its relations with Taiwan.

Yalla re-affirmed that it has been the set policy of the Government of Guinea Bissau to resolutely uphold the one-China policy and to support China's territorial integrity and reunification cause.

Guinea Bissau President Yalla said that his country highly values China's experience in its economic growth and hopes to learn from China. He also urged Chinese business people to invest in his country.

Following the talks, the two presidents attended a ceremony during which the two governments signed an agreement on bilateral economic and technological cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency December 17, 2002)