ANTANANARIVO, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- Seychelles President James Alix Michel said in Victoria on Tuesday that the upcoming visit by his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, the first by a Chinese head of state in 31 years, is of great significance.

    Michel told China's Ambassador to Seychelles Geng Wenbing that the two countries have maintained sound cooperative relations in politics, economy, culture and health since they established diplomatic ties in 1976.

    He added that China was one of the few countries to persistently support Seychelles when the country experienced its most difficult period just a few years ago, said a press release issued by the Chinese Embassy in Victoria.

    Michel paid a state visit to China and attended Beijing Summit of the China-Africa Forum in November last year. He said his visit to Beijing further strengthened bilateral ties.

    The Seychelles government would exert all efforts to make the Chinese president's upcoming visit a success, the release quoted the president as saying.

    Hu left Beijing on Tuesday for an eight-nation African tour, which will take him to Cameroon, Liberia, Sudan, Zambia, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique and Seychelles from from Jan. 30 to Feb. 10.