President Hu said that China is ready to steadily push forward the development of bilateral friendly and cooperative relations between China and Comoros in the new century.

During his talks with visiting President Azali Assoumani of the Union of Comoros, an island nation in Africa, he said that China was the first country to forge diplomatic links with Comoros after it gained independence.

Bilateral relations had developed smoothly over the past 28 years, Hu noted, saying that the two sides had continuously enhanced politically mutual trust, achieved good results in economic, cultural and health cooperation and achieved good cooperation in international affairs.

President Hu thanked Comoros for its long-term adherence to the one China policy and its support to the great cause of China's reunification.

China respected the route of development that Comoros had chosen and supported its efforts to safeguard independence and sovereignty, Azali said. The Chinese people had always stood by the Comoro people since the country became independent.

As bilateral exchanges and cooperation in such fields as politics and economy kept growing, the selfless assistance and excellent job done by Chinese medical teams in Comoros won the admiration, respect and gratitude of the Comoro people.

Azali said his country was willing to continue to expand its friendly and cooperative relations with China.

President Hu congratulated Comoros for its success in attaining ethnic reconciliation and holding a presidential election. He appreciated the country's adherence to an independent foreign policy.

He also thanked Comoros for its sympathy, understanding and support to China during the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic.

Azali praised the Chinese government for its arduous efforts to fight against and success in controlling the SARS epidemic.

Owing to historical and practical reasons, Hu said, conflicts were still going on in some areas of Africa, and many African countries were still facing economic difficulties.

However, Hu acknowledged, the pursuit for peace, stability and development had become the mainstream in the evolution of African situation in recent years.Hu said China supported African countries establishing the African Union and formulating and implementing the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD).

China and African countries had jointly initiated and set up the China-Africa Cooperation Forum that aimed to strengthen political consultation and trade and economic cooperation.

Consolidating and strengthening unity and cooperation with all African countries including Comoros was a vital part of China's independent foreign policy of peace, Hu noted. He said China would abide by the basic principles of "sincere friendship, equal treatment, unity and cooperation, common progress and looking forward to the future" in dealing with Africa.

He said China would make efforts to forge long-term, stable relationships of equality and mutual benefit with African countries.

Azali agreed with Hu's view on the situation of the African continent and his positive comments on Sino-African relations. Azali said China's stance of maintaining world peace and safeguarding the legitimate rights of the weak and small in international affairs had won high praise and active support from the people of Comoros and Africa as a whole.

Noting that China had always helped and supported the development of African countries, he said the mechanism of China-Africa Cooperation Forum has inspiring new hopes for friendly cooperation between Africa and China.

After the talks, the two heads of state attended the signing ceremony of two documents concerning economic and technical cooperation between the two governments and on dispatching Chinese medical teams to Comoros.

(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2003)