China treasures its friendship with Surinam and will promote actions taking bilateral relations "to a higher level," Chinese President Hu Jintao said in Beijing on Wednesday.

Hu made these remarks when meeting with visiting Surinamese Vice-President Ramdien Sardjoe, acknowledging the traditional friendship linking Surinam and China.

Hu praised the spirit of mutual respect and sincerity that formed the basis of bilateral relations, noting that the two countries respected each other’s modes of development and remained fully committed to working under the aegis of equality, mutual benefit and long-term friendship.

The Chinese president also highlighted the recent improvement of two-way trade relations, adding that he hoped this would mark a consistent growth in Sino-Surinamese trade relations.

For his part, Sardjoe called China "a friend indeed", referring to the fact that China, the world’s most populous nation, treats Surinam as an equal and has been of great help in the country’s development.

The Surinamese government will continue to uphold the one-China policy, cement cooperation with China in various fields while making new ground in terms of communication and coordination on regional and international issues, Sardjoe said.

Sardjoe arrived in Beijing Sunday afternoon for his first official visit to China at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Zeng Qinghong. During his six-day stay, Sardjoe will also take in the sights of the ancient city of Xi'an, the northeastern coastal city of Dalian as well as Shanghai.

(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2007)