Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday told visiting Cameroon President Paul Biya his three-point proposals to further promote China-Cameroon ties in the new century.

Biya is in Beijing for a five-day state visit as a guest of Hu.

The proposals are:

• To strengthen exchanges of high-level visits and goodwill contacts at various levels in bid to increase mutual understanding and deepen friendship;
• To expand economic cooperation and trade between the two countries and actively explore new approaches and channels for mutual cooperation;
• To tighten consultation and cooperation in international affairs and cooperate to safeguard the interests and rights of developing countries.

Biya said he agreed with Hu's proposals, adding that Cameroon was willing to join with China to boost ties.

Hu said the ties of the two countries had expanded steadily since the establishment of diplomatic relations 32 years ago.

China appreciated Cameroon government's long-term adherence to the one-China policy and its support to the reunification of the country, Hu said.

Biya said he had paid three visits to China over the past 16 years and saw in his own eyes the new achievements the Chinese people had made in their national construction.

The China-Cameroon cooperation in fields like politics, trade, medical care and infrastructure construction was fruitful, said Biya, noting such cooperation had set a good example for cooperation among developing countries.

Hu said China would expand cooperation with developing countries including Cameroon, join with them to promote the democratization of international relations and drive economic globalization to an orientation that benefits developing countries.

Biya said his country attached importance to the increasing role and influence of China in the international arena, and was willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation in the international affairs.

After the talks, the two presidents attended a signing ceremony for three cooperation agreements including one on economic technological cooperation.

Prior to the talks, Hu hosted a grand welcome ceremony in honor of Biya.

(Xinhua News Agency September 23, 2003)