Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of Mauritius, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, July 11, 2007. [Xinhua Photo]

Chinese President Hu Jintao met in Beijing Wednesday with visiting Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, calling for joint efforts to improve bilateral relations.

Hu spoke highly of China-Mauritius friendship and cooperative relations, saying the two countries had expanded exchanges in various fields since forging diplomatic ties 35 years ago.

The two countries cooperate on regional and international issues, Hu said, expressing his appreciation for Mauritius government's long-term adherence to the one China policy and support on the Taiwan issue.

He highlighted the role Mauritius plays in east Africa and in the Indian Ocean area, noting that China values its ties with Mauritius and hopes to maintain high-level exchanges, further bilateral cooperation in trade and technological fields and continue to consult and coordinate on significant issues of common concern.

"I hope the two sides make concerted efforts to promote bilateral relations", the Chinese president noted.

Agreeing upon Hu's views on bilateral relations, Ramgoolam expressed gratitude for China's long-term support and unselfish assistance to Mauritius.

Mauritius and China share a traditional friendship and are developing bilateral relations on the basis of the one China policy, Ramgoolam said, pledging his government would seek to boost cooperation with China in various fields.

As Premier Wen Jiabao's guest, Ramgoolam arrived here Monday afternoon for a six-day visit. Besides Beijing, Ramgoolam will proceed to visit Shanghai, "Anhui Province and Zhejiang Province in the east.