China's Vice-President Hu Jintao met with Mozambican Defence Minister Tobias Joaquim Dai Tuesday in Beijing.
Hu, who is also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, praised the friendship between China and Mozambique and their fruitful bilateral cooperation in all areas since the two countries forged diplomatic relations.
He expressed appreciation and gratitude to Mozambique for its firm support for China on such issues as Taiwan and human rights.
The development of long-term, stable, friendly, equitable and mutually beneficial bilateral ties are in the fundamental interests of the two countries and Sino-African cooperation as a whole, he said, adding that China hopes that such a relationship can be advanced to a new phase.
Hu also highly commended the efforts made by Mozambique under the leadership of President Joaquim Alberto Chissano for achievingnational reconciliation, national stability and economic growth.
Tobias Joaquim Dai thanked China for its solid support for Mozambique over the past few decades. He told Hu that the aim of his visit is to enhance friendship between the two countries and learn from China about economic construction and army building, soas to expand bilateral ties.
He also gave a brief introduction to the situation in Mozambique and the rest of southern Africa.
Central Military Commission Vice-Chairman, State Councilor and Defence Minister Chi Haotian was among those present at the meeting.