On November 22, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council Huang Ju, who was on an official visit to Madagascar, met with Madagascan President Marc Ravalomanana in Antananarivo.

Huang said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 33 years ago, both sides have always shown mutual respect and support for each other and treated each other as equals and bilateral friendly cooperative relations have been developing soundly and steadily. In recent years, both sides have increased high-level exchanges. During his visit to China last year, HE the President reached a range of important consensus with President Hu Jintao and HE the President also reaffirmed on many occasions that the Madagascan government will resolutely pursue the one-China policy. This laid a solid political foundation for developing a new-type partnership marked by long-term stability and mutually beneficial cooperation under the new situation. Currently, both sides have witnessed more frequent personnel exchanges at all levels with mutual political trust furthered enhanced and the cooperation in the areas of economy, trade, culture, education and health has scored new achievements. Both sides have also maintained sound coordination and collaboration in international affairs and within the framework of China-Africa Cooperation Forum. Bilateral relations have entered a new period of all-round development.

Huang indicated that Madagascar has achieved remarkable results in the process of advancing national unity and economic rejuvenation and played an important role in safeguarding common interest and promoting peace and development in Africa. China also attaches great importance to strengthening unity and cooperation between both sides and deems Madagascar an important cooperative partner. China will as always continue supporting Madagascar's efforts in developing economy and building the country and work with Madagascar to earnestly implement the important consensus reached between heads of state of both sides in a bid to jointly push bilateral relations and mutually beneficial cooperation for steady, comprehensive and in-depth development.

Huang noted that both sides have maintained sincere and friendly cooperative relations. Chinese President Hu Jintao, during his attendance at the Summit on the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations, announced China's five major measures to support accelerated development of developing nations and African countries will be the main beneficiary of these measures. China would like to make joint efforts with Madagascar and other African countries within the framework of China-Africa Cooperation Forum to actively implement these measures, promote common development of both sides and bring benefits to both peoples.

Ravalomanana expressed warm welcome for Huang's visit. He said that both sides are good friends and partners. In recent years, both sides have maintained high-level exchanges and conducted effective cooperation in various areas. Vice Premier Huang's current visit to Madagascar shows once again that the Chinese government attaches great importance to developing bilateral relations and bilateral friendly cooperation is progressing towards a higher level. The Madagascan government thanks China for offering assistance for its economic growth over the years, will continue to resolutely adopt the one-China policy and hopes to see the realization of China's grand cause of reunification at an early date.

Ravalomanana said that currently Madagascar is committing itself to a rapid development plan on increasing job opportunities, enhancing productivity and educational level, promoting exports and other aspects. The five major measures announced by President Hu Jintao are of great significance for Madagascar to advance the above-mentioned development plan and conducive to promoting the development of Madagascar and other developing nations. Madagascar will keep closer cooperation with China in taking active measures to implement these measures and the consensus reached between both heads of state on further developing bilateral cooperative relations and contribute to Madagascar's economic take-off and continuous development of bilateral cooperative relations. Madagascar would like to work with China to advance in-depth development of Africa-China cooperation.

On the same day, Huang inspected local sports and cultural institutions in Antananarivo and visited the staff of the Chinese Embassy in Madagascar and representatives from Chinese-funded institutions and overseas Chinese in Madagascar.