Chinese President Hu Jintao (L, Front) holds a welcoming ceremony for Seychellois President James Alix Michel at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Nov. 2, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)  Photo Gallery >>>

    BEIJING, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks here Thursday with James Alix Michel, president of the Republic of Seychelles, who is paying a state visit to China and is to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

    The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the development of bilateral relations and agreed to deepen cooperation between the two countries.

    Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries 30 years ago, the China-Seychelles friendly cooperation has witnessed smooth development, with mutual understanding and trust enhanced and fruitful cooperation and exchanges in various areas, Hu said.

    The China-Seychelles relation has become a model for equal treatment and mutual assistance between big and small countries, said Hu, expressing appreciation to Seychelles' adherence to the one-China policy and support for China's reunification cause.

    China has been offering unselfish assistance to Seychelles for long time, said Michel, expressing his thankfulness to the Chinese government and people.

    Seychelles values friendship between the two countries, and will continue to pursue the one-China policy and support China's reunification cause, he said.

    The two countries should enhance political relations, promote personnel exchanges in various levels, and leaders of the two countries should keep consultations over issues of common concern through various means, said Hu.

    The two countries should tap potential in trade and economic cooperation, and China will make joint efforts with Seychelles to enhance cooperation in infrastructure construction, fishery and other fields, he said.

    The Chinese government will encourage enterprises to invest in Seychelles, and expand exchanges and cooperation in education, tourism, human resources and health, Hu said.

    The two countries should further their consultations and cooperation over international affairs, and China will continue to boost the international community to pay more attention to the development issue of Seychelles and other small-island developing countries, he said.

    Seychelles is happy to see the great development achievement China has made, and a more developed China can help better safeguard the interests of developing countries, said Michel.

    Seychelles wishes to build new-type partnership with China, and welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest and participate in the fishery, tourism, aviation and infrastructure construction in the country, he said, expressing confidence that the Beijing Summit will enhance the friendly cooperation between Africa and China.