Chinese president meets with leader of Mauritian Militant Movement
PORT LOUIS, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) — Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao met here Tuesday with Paul Berenger, leader of the Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM) party, in a bid to cement bilateral ties.
Hu said Sino-Mauritian relations have been developing in a healthy and steady manner, and this should firstly be attributed to the sound foundation of bilateral ties.
The two peoples have had friendly exchanges for a long time, and have enjoyed mutual understanding, mutual trust and mutual support since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, he said.
Secondly, China and Mauritius share common interests, said Hu. He added that both countries face the tasks to develop the economy and improve people’s lives, and share a strong desire for cooperation.
Thirdly, the sound development of bilateral ties should be attributed to the importance attached by both sides to the relations, he said.
Hu praised the friendly policies pursed by main Mauritian parties toward China and their efforts to further improve Sino-Mauritian relations, saying such steps showcase the fact that friendship toward China is deeply rooted in the hearts of Mauritians and developing relations with China is a consensus shared by both ruling and opposition parties in Mauritius.
The president stressed that China has always attached importance to the development of bilateral relations with Mauritius, and is ready to work concertedly with the ruling and opposition parties of Mauritius to deepen friendship, enhance mutually beneficial cooperation and boost common development, so as to bring bilateral relations to a new high.
Hu also pledged to work with Mauritius in the face of the global financial crisis to safeguard the country’s stability and prosperity.
He said exchanges between parties play an important role in bilateral ties, noting that the Communist Party of China (CPC) has established friendly relations with the main parties of Mauritius, and that such interaction has greatly promoted bilateral ties, and enhanced understanding and friendship between the two peoples.
The CPC is willing to deepen cooperation with the various parties of Mauritius on the basis of independence, equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, in order to push bilateral ties forward, he added.
For his part, Berenger hailed Hu’s visit and expressed admiration for the measures taken by China to fend off the global economic turmoil.
He thanked China for playing an active role in the development of Africa and for the help offered to his country since the two sides established diplomatic ties 37 years ago.
The MMM is willing to enhance cooperation with the CPC, said Berenger, a former prime minister of Mauritius, and vowed his party will support the Mauritian government’s adherence to the one-China policy.
Mauritius is the last stop in President Hu’s five-nation trip, which earlier took him to Saudi Arabia, Mali, Senegal and Tanzania.