Special Envoy Liu meets with President Hery Rajaonarimampianina

From June 1 to June 3, 2015, Special Envoy on Affairs of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) of the Foreign Ministry Liu Guijin paid a visit to Madagascar. During his visit, Special Envoy Liu Guijin met with President Hery Rajaonarimampianina and Foreign Minister Béatrice Atallah of Madagascar respectively, conveying the sincere greetings from President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi to them, and exchanging views with them on bilateral relations, the FOCAC and other major topics of common interest. H.E. Yang Min, Chinese Ambassador to Madagascar, was present at the above meetings.

Special Envoy Liu Guijin reviewed the history of China-Madagascar friendly exchanges since the establishment of the diplomatic relations in 1972 and expressed that the Chinese side cherishes the traditional friendship with Madagascar and is willing to make joint efforts with the Madagascan side to constantly push China-Madagascar relations to new highs. Madagascar is in the crucial period from turmoil to stability, and is in urgent need to realize rapid economic and social development. China is making great efforts to promote economic restructuring and industrial upgrading, and a host of advantageous spare production capacity needs to expand overseas. Therefore, the two sides highly accord with each other in their demands, and thus enjoy a promising future in economic and trade cooperation. Meanwhile, China is also willing to deepen cooperation with Madagascar in culture, education, health care and other areas.

Special Envoy Liu Guijin said that the FOCAC is a significant mechanism to realize China-Africa cooperation. In the fourth quarter of this year, the 6th FOCAC Ministerial Meeting will be held in South Africa. The Chinese side is willing to listen to the opinions and suggestions from African countries including Madagascar and jointly make good preparations for the Meeting. It is hoped that the Madagascan side will actively participate in FOCAC affairs and fully share the achievements of the FOCAC, so as to accelerate its own development.

Special Envoy Liu, Ambassador Yang and President Hery Rajaonarimampianina take a group photo

The Madagascan side expressed its deep gratitude for China's long-term strong support for the political reconciliation and social stability of Madagascar, and welcomed China to transfer its production capacity in various fields to Madagascar. The Madagascan side expressed its willingness to deepen cooperation with the Chinese side in fields such as people-to-people and cultural exchanges and health care. In the follow-up actions of the 5th FOCAC Ministerial Meeting, China has provided African countries including Madagascar with a large amount of credit aid, helping Madagascar realize its economic and social development, for which the Madagascan side is grateful. In the future, the Madagascan side hopes to continue benefiting fully from the FOCAC and become a model and benchmark of China-Africa cooperation.

Special Envoy Liu meets with Foreign Minister Béatrice Atallah