Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing Thursday held talks with Chadian Minister of External Relations Ahmad Allam-Mi, agreeing to promote bilateral relations after resumption of diplomatic ties last August.

Li said since the two countries restored diplomatic ties, bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields have scored remarkable progress.

China will work with Chad in strengthening political mutual trust, expanding personnel exchanges, deepening exchanges and cooperation in economy, trade, culture and international affairs so as to push forward bilateral relations, Li said.

Agreeing upon Li's remarks, Allam-Mi reviewed the positive achievements in bilateral cooperation since the two countries resumed diplomatic ties.

He said Chad attaches great importance to its relations with China and will further expand cooperation and consolidate friendly relationship.

The two sides also exchanged views on major international and regional issues of common concern.

After their talks, the two ministers attended the reopening ceremony of Chadian embassy in the Chinese capital.

Accompanied by the newly-appointed Chadian ambassador to China Ahmed Soungui, Li and Allam-Mi visited the embassy's new site which lies in the eastern part of downtown Beijing which claims most of foreign embassies.

"I believe through joint efforts, the tree of Sino-Chadian friendship will be sure to have deep roots and thick foliage and yield a lot more fruit," Li said when addressing the ceremony.

Allam-Mi expressed his hope to further bilateral friendly cooperation in education, medicine, public health and telecommunication, saying Chad will make due efforts to this end.

China and Chad established formal diplomatic links in 1972 but China severed diplomatic relations with Chad in 1997 when the country "resumed diplomatic ties" with Taiwan.

On Aug. 6 last year, Li Zhaoxing and Allam-mi signed a joint communique to resume diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Allam-Mi arrived here Wednesday morning for a three-day visit. It is the first China trip of a Chadian foreign minister since the resumption of diplomatic ties.

Besides formal meetings with Chinese officials, Allam-Mi also visited Beijing's landmark Forbidden City and watched an acrobatics performance.

Source: Xinhua