Chinese President Hu Jintao said Monday the Chinese government and people cherish the fraternal friendship with Mozambique and are willing to work with Mozambique to push forward bilateral relations.

To this end, the two sides need to keep the momentum of high-profile exchange of visits and increase exchange between the legislatures, governmental departments and political parties of the two countries, Hu said during talks with visiting Mozambican President Joaquim Alberto Chissano.

Hu also proposed strengthening trade and economic ties between the two sides, featuring cooperation in agriculture, mining, infrastructure construction and human resources development.

The two countries should also coordinate and cooperate more with each other in international and regional affairs, he added.

Hu said China and Mozambique, based on their traditional friendship, have kept high-level exchange of visits, made remarkable progress in cooperation in various fields, and supported each other in international affairs since they forged diplomatic relations 29 years ago.

Hu appreciated the stand of President Chissano and his government to stick to the one-China policy and the support to China on the Taiwan and human rights issues.

Chissano said the Mozambican people will never forget China's firm support to Mozambique in its struggle for independence and the valuable aid China provided to his country after the establishment of diplomatic relations.

He agreed with Hu on his comment on bilateral relations and his proposals on furthering the relations, expressing the hope that the two sides strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in mining, agriculture, fishery and tourism.

Chissano stressed that Taiwan is a province of China and Mozambique will firmly support China's cause of reunification.

On the current situation in Africa and the China-Africa relationship, Hu said Africa plays an increasingly important role in international affair as the general situation in Africa has been stabilizing, the economy has kept growing year by year, the African Union is being developed comprehensively, and the New Partnership for African Development has produced a blueprint for a promising future of the continent.

Although it is faced with many problems, Hu said, Africa would realize revitalization as long as African countries work together and make unremitting efforts under the help from the international community.

As a friend of Africa, China always supports the efforts of African countries to realize peace and development, and has strengthened cooperation with Africa in this field, said Hu.

With the concerted efforts of both sides, China and Africa will make further progress in promoting their friendly cooperative relations, he said.

Chissano said that China is a force for peace and development, and has played an important role in boosting the progress of developing countries and striving for a just and reasonable world order.

He said he hopes China, which supports the New Partnership for African Development, will continue its active role in African affairs.

After the talks, Hu and Chissano attended a signing ceremony of two official documents on trade and economic cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency April 6, 2004)