DAKAR, March 24 (Xinhua) -- The friendly cooperation ties between China and Mauritania have developed steadily and achieved remarkable accomplishment since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1965.

    On the political front, China and Mauritania have consolidated their ties, sharing the same or similar views on significant international issues and coordinating and supporting each other on global affairs.

    Mauritania has steadfastly upheld the one China principle, refused to have contact in any forms with Taiwan authorities and stood firm for China's reunification.

    During the past 40 years, high-level exchange of visits has been frequent. In March 2007, Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, elected president of Mauritania, expressed cordial hopes for further developing his country's friendly cooperation ties with China. In response to his gesture, Chinese President Hu Jintao sent a congratulatory message to him and dispatched a special envoy to attend his inauguration ceremony.

    In the economic and trade arena, the two countries have also cooperated closely. In December 2006, China and Mauritania signed a series of agreements on Mauritania's recognition of China's market-oriented economy and China's granting preferential duties to Mauritania.

    In 2007, bilateral trade volume reached 707 million U.S. dollars, marking a 38.3-percent growth year-on-year.

    China has provided various loans and aid for Mauritania. Under such aid programs, China has helped Mauritania in projects including a port, a conference center, and the presidential office building. Besides, projects of three government buildings, a hospital and two schools are at the preparation stage.

    Much has been achieved on China's contract projects since 1982. By 2007, Chinese contractors had signed deals worth 663 million dollars, covering water supplies, telecommunications, agriculture and road construction.

    On culture and education, China and Mauritania signed an inter-governmental cooperation deal in 1967. China has provided scholarships for Mauritanian students since 1975, and by 2007 a total of 140 Mauritanian students have studied in China.