On October 10, 2002, Premier Zhu Rongji held talks with Mozambican Prime Minister Pascoal Manuel Mocumbi, who was on a working visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern in a sincere and friendly manner and reached broad consensus.

Zhu first welcomed Mocumbi's another visit to China and appreciated Mocumbi's contribution to bilateral friendly cooperation and traditional friendship in the past years, and was convinced that this visit would further the existing friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Zhu spoke highly of bilateral relations. He said that China-Mozambique traditional friendship dates back to many years ago. Bilateral relations have maintained a good momentum of development. China and Mozambique, both developing countries, have good relations, share a broad interest in international affairs and have supported each other and worked together on major international issues. He expressed his appreciations for Mozambique's past adherence to the One China policy and for its firm support for China's reunification and to its stance on major international issues like human rights. He said that the Chinese government cherishes China-Mozambique traditional friendship, and would like to work with Mozambique to promote bilateral friendly relations and cooperation.

On bilateral economic cooperation and trade, Zhu said that in recent years, China and Mozambique have had good cooperation in trade, economic and technical cooperation and investment. Bilateral economic relations and trade are progressing in a positive direction. Some projects in Mozambique with aid from China have become symbols of China-Mozambique friendship. Chinese enterprises have taken an active part in Mozambique's economic development with fruitful results in aquatic farming and agriculture. The China Investment and Trade Promotion Center, which is to open at the end of this year, will play a positive role in furthering bilateral economic and trade relations. Zhu noted the two economies are highly complementary and the development of bilateral economic and trade cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit has a promising future.

Zhu also briefed Mocumbi on the follow-up actions of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, and said everything is going smoothly. China has signed debt reduction or exemption agreements with 31 African nations including Mozambique, and Sino-African trade has grown quite rapidly. The two sides also cooperated in human resources development, agriculture and environmental protection. The Chinese Follow-up Action Committee of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum held a seminar on agricultural investment and cooperation between China and Africa in Beijing in late September to encourage Chinese enterprises to participate more actively in China-Africa agricultural cooperation. Zhu said that a senior official's meeting of the Forum would be held in Ethiopia in November, followed by a ministers' meeting next year. The Chinese side is willing to make concerted efforts with African countries to make the Forum mechanism serve the development of Sino-African friendship and cooperation in a long-term and effective manner.

Mocumbi fully agreed with Zhu's assessment of bilateral relations. He said that since Mozambique's independence, Mozambique-China friendly relations of unity and cooperation have developed constantly. The top leadership of the two countries has maintained close exchanges, and mutual understanding between the two peoples has been enhanced. The two foreign ministries have maintained a good mechanism of consultation. Mozambique adheres to the One China policy, and believes that China will realize its cause of peaceful unification. He said that Mozambique thinks highly of China's independent foreign policy of peace and is convinced this policy will not only benefit peace and stability in Asia, but also play a vital role in world peace and stability. Mozambique will continue close consultation and cooperation with China in international affairs so as to meet the demands brought by volatile changes and development of the international situation.

Mocumbi said that Mozambique-China friendship is not only embodied in the political area, but also in the many projects of friendly cooperation between the two countries. Mozambique appreciates China's selfless assistance in the past years. He said that in recent years, the Mozambican economy has made rapid development and the development of Mozambique's domestic economy has provided a good opportunity for expanding and enhancing Mozambique-China economic cooperation and trade. Mozambique hopes to learn from China's experience in agriculture, port development and the establishment of economic development zones and to cooperate with China in these fields. Moreover, Mozambique hopes to draw more Chinese investment, and believes that the China Investment and Trade Promotion Center in Mozambique will help encourage Chinese enterprises' participation in Mozambique's economic development.

Mocumbi acknowledged that the China-Africa Cooperation Forum is very important and will benefit African countries in many spheres including agriculture and human resources development. Mozambique highly appreciates China's active contribution to China-Africa Cooperation Forum. He expressed sympathy for the recent floods in some Chinese provinces and donated USD 20,000 on behalf of the Mozambican government for flood relief. Zhu expressed thanks.

The two sides also exchanged views on the situation in Africa.

Following the talks, Zhu and Mocumbi jointly attended the signing ceremony of an agreement on economic and technological cooperation between the two governments and a memorandum of understanding on agricultural cooperation.