China and Jamaica agreed on Thursday to explore new ways and areas of cooperation to boost bilateral ties.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 4, 2010. [Li Tao/Xinhua]

Chinese President Hu Jintao told visiting Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding that China would like to enhance political dialogues with Jamaica, strengthen mutual understanding and substantial cooperation, and jointly safeguard the interests of developing countries. 

Calling Jamaica one of China's most important trading partners in the Caribbean region, Hu said the two countries had made remarkable achievements in boosting exchanges and cooperation in various areas over the last 38 years of diplomatic ties.

He called on joint efforts to implement cooperation projects the two sides had agreed, and explore new ways and fields to deepen cooperation.

Golding told Hu that his government and people highly value relations with China. The Jamaican government always sticks to the one-China policy and respects China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He appreciated China's aid to Jamaica over the years, especially at the time of global financial crisis. He called for enhanced bilateral cooperation in the areas of infrastructure, mining and culture.

During his brief meeting with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping Thursday evening, Golding spoke highly of the China-Jamaica relations, saying the two states are "not only good partners but also good friends".

Jamaica will stick to the one-China policy and promote economic cooperation and trade with China, Golding said, adding his country will participate in the Shanghai World Expo that will open in May in this east China's economic hub.

Xi, who visited Jamaica in February last year, said Golding's visit has scored "great success" before he hosted a banquet for Golding in the scenic Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in downtown Beijing.

China will continuously encourage quality enterprises to invest in Jamaica, Xi told Golding, who is on his first official visit to China since taking office in 2007 as guest of his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao.

Golding and Wen held talks on Wednesday and witnessed the signing of a series of agreements on trade and economic cooperation, infrastructure construction and social development.

China's trade volume with Jamaica amounted to 219 million U.S. dollars in 2009, with import increased by 280 percent as compared with the previous year.