On February 8, 2007, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with Mozambican President Armando Emilio Guebuza in Maputo. The two heads of state exchanged in-depth views on bilateral ties and other major issues of common concern, agreeing to actively implement the consensus reached by both sides and lift their friendly cooperative ties to a new level for the benefit of both peoples.

During the talks, Hu said China and Mozambique have developed a profound traditional friendship and have had fruitful cooperation in economy and trade, culture, education and health in their 31 years of diplomatic relations. Both countries have also supported and coordinated with each other in international affairs. Thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, recent years have witnessed frequent bilateral exchanges at multiple levels with further development of cooperation in all areas, said Hu.

Hu pointed out that China cherishes bilateral traditional friendship and attaches importance to its ties with Mozambique, adding that China is ready to work together with the Mozambican side to actively implement measures adopted last November at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, so as to push for their friendly cooperation. To this end, Hu put forward a four-point proposal. First, strengthening high-level visits to build up political trust. Hu proposed that China and Mozambique bear in mind the overall development of bilateral ties and maintain exchanges between their governments, legislative bodies and ruling parties. Second, giving play to complementary advantages to deepen economic and trade cooperation. Currently both sides should focus on the implementation of cooperation projects already agreed upon, said Hu. The Chinese government will continue to provide policy and fund support for competent businesses to invest in Mozambique, discuss ways and approaches of cooperation and participate in projects in Mozambique in such fields as agriculture development and infrastructure construction, so as to push for better and faster development of bilateral cooperation. China will build an agricultural demonstration center in Mozambique and further open market to the African country. China is ready to boost its economic and trade cooperation with Mozambique through the economic and trade cooperation forum between China and Portuguese speaking countries. Third, expanding humanistic exchanges to consolidate the social basis of friendly cooperation. China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Mozambique in the areas of education, health, science and technology, culture, sports, tourism and journalism. China will increase government-funded scholarship quotas for Mozambican students and assist Mozambique to build schools in rural areas and malaria prevention and treatment centers. Fourth, strengthening coordination in international affairs to safeguard common interests. Hu urged both sides to address each other's concerns, jointly safeguard the just rights and interests of their own countries and other developing nations and push the international political and economic order to develop in a more fair and reasonable way.

Guebuza said the sound Mozambique-China relationship is based on the profound traditional friendship between both sides. The Chinese government and people have given vital support to the Mozambican people when they faced difficulties, and the two countries have cemented their friendly relations since the independence of Mozambique. He reiterated that Mozambique adheres to the one-China policy.

Guebuza said Hu's proposal on the development of bilateral cooperation and China's assistance is of great importance in promoting Mozambique's economic and social progress and helping the country eradicate poverty and will help further enhance the friendship between the two peoples. Guebuza hoped that Mozambique will learn from China's experience in social and economic development and enhance its cooperation with China in infrastructure, agriculture, elementary education, tourism and exploitation of natural resources.

After the talks, Hu and Guebuza witnessed the signing of eight documents on bilateral cooperation in economy, technology, agriculture, education and sports and jointly met with the journalists from home and abroad.

On the evening of the same day, Hu attended a welcoming banquet given in his honor by Guebuza. In his speech delivered at the banquet, Hu said to strengthen the exchanges between the Chinese and African civilizations is an important part of developing a new type of China-Africa strategic partnership. Both China and Africa enjoy a splendid culture and have made important contributions to human civilization and progress. Both sides should boost cooperation between their cultural agencies, press media, academic groups and institutions of higher learning, and build up mutual understanding and friendship between both peoples, especially the youth so as to provide an ideological driving force and cultural support for China-Africa cooperation. Both sides should advocate a concept of civilization featuring openness and tolerance, acknowledge differences among all countries in cultural tradition, social system, values and development road and strive to make different civilizations learn from others' strong points and close the gap through competition and comparison, so as to achieve common development in seeking common ground while reserving differences and to push for the lofty cause of mankind's peace and development. "We should strengthen exchanges among different civilizations and try to build a harmonious and colorful world," he said.

In the evening, Hu called on staff members of the Chinese embassy in Mozambique and representatives of Chinese enterprises in the African country and the local Chinese community before attending the banquet given in his honor by Guebuza.

State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan attended the above activities.