Special Report: President Hu visits 8 African nations

Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Mozambican counterpart Armando Emilio Guebuza hold talks in the Mozambican capital Thursday. Photo Gallery>>>

    MAPUTO, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday began his state visit to Mozambique, and the two countries on the same day issued a joint communique on bilateral cooperation and international affairs of common concern.

    The communique was released after Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Mozambican counterpart Armando Emilio Guebuza held talks in the Mozambican capital.

    The two leaders exchanged views and reached a broad consensus on implementation of the results reached at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), bilateral cooperative relations and international and regional issues of common concern, the communique said.

    The two nations hailed the traditional friendship, the sound development of bilateral ties since the establishment of diplomatic relations 31 years ago, and the cooperation in economic and social fields, according to the communique.

    Mozambique reaffirmed its commitment to the one China policy, and its opposition to "Taiwan independence" in any form, including "de jure Taiwan independence," and to Taiwan's accession to any international organization of sovereign states, it said.

    In a written statement released at the airport upon arrival in Maputo, Hu said that the Chinese and Mozambican peoples have forged a deep friendship during the country's liberation struggle and the national construction after its independence.

    President Hu arrived here on Thursday after wrapping up a two-day state visit to South Africa.

    On Wednesday, President Hu delivered a speech at the University of Pretoria in South Africa.

    Hu said that strong China-South Africa relations of all-around cooperation serve the fundamental interests of both countries and peoples.

    The Chinese government and people will work closely with the South African side to enhance mutual political trust and practical cooperation, as well as to steadily strengthen the bilateral strategic partnership to benefit both peoples, he said.

    Hu also said that China will consolidate traditional friendship and expand practical cooperation with the whole of Africa.

    Both China and Africa are important forces for peace and development and to deepen their friendship is the shared desire of the people of both countries, Hu said in his speech.

    The Chinese president said that China's development is peaceful, open, cooperative and harmonious in nature.

    "We aim to build a harmonious society at home, and work with other countries to build a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity," he said.

    Also on Wednesday, President Hu met with the South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka for discussions on ways of deepening mutually-beneficial and practical cooperation between their two countries.