Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with his Togolese counterpart Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Feb. 13, 2006.

Chinese president Hu Jintao and his Togolese counterpart Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe both vowed in Beijing Monday to enhance the bilateral friendly and cooperative relations to a new level.

"I believe the president's visit will create favorable conditions to further the pragmatic cooperation in various fields between the two nations," Hu said when he held talks with Faure in the Great Hall of the People.

He noted that China and Togo have established profound friendship based on sincerity and mutual trust, which has narrowed cultural and geographic differences and endured the transition of the international situation.

"The cooperation between the two sides has scored remarkable achievement in political, economic and trade, cultural, educational and public health fields, and Togo has become one of China's important trade partners in western Africa," Hu said.

Hu also noted that the two sides established mutual understanding and close collaboration on international issues, expressing his appreciation for the Togolese government's focus on China-Togo relations, support for China's reunification cause and adherence to the one-China policy.

"Sino-Togolese relations have entered into a new stage of development," said the Chinese president, proposing the two sides strengthen the exchanges between the two governments, legislature and parties.

China and Togo should continue to improve economic and trade cooperation based on the principles of mutual benefit, effectiveness and common development, especially in the fields of agriculture, infrastructure construction, telecommunication and power generation, Hu said, adding that cooperation in culture and education, public health and human resources should also be fortified.

Hu also advised the two sides to cement consultation and communication on world affairs, and mutual understanding and support on significant issues concerning the fundamental interests of the two sides, and improve coordination on issues concerning common interests of the developing countries to maintain world peace and push forward common prosperity.

On the issue of China-Africa relations, Hu noted that the consolidation of China-Africa traditional friendship, unity and cooperation and support for the renewal and development of African countries is always the guidelines for China in the China-Africa relations.

China will host the first summit of China-Africa Cooperation Forum this year, which is a significant event for China-Africa relations, Hu said, noting that the country will further implement the African policies through the effective platform of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum.

Faure agreed with Hu's suggestion on promoting bilateral relations, saying that China has made remarkable achievements in economic and social development.

Togo is ready to enhance exchanges and cooperation with China in such fields as economy, trade, telecommunication, science, technology and infrastructure in an bid to further promote Togo-China relations, Faure said, expressing the willingness of Togo to work with China in promoting regional and world peace and development.

Faure said Togo and China have enjoyed smooth development of bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties. No problems exist between the two countries, he noted.

Togo's development in various fields, including the economy, agriculture, education and health, benefits a lot from the sound growth of friendly and cooperative relations with China, the president said, noting that Togolese government and people appreciate the sincere help of the Chinese government.

Faure stressed that the Togolese government would never change its stance of firmly adhering to the one-China policy.

On the first summit of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, Faure said the meeting would be conducive for the two sides to deepen mutual understanding.

Togo and other African nations would take the meeting as an opportunity to increase cooperation with China, and to jointly push forward the development of Africa-China friendly relations and mutual-beneficial cooperation, the Togolese president said.

The two state leaders also attended a signing ceremony for the economic and technological cooperation agreements between China and Togo.

Source: Xinhua