Exchanges between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Tiako I Madagasikara (TIM) play an important role in promoting the development of China-Madagascar relations, said a senior CPC official in Antananarivo on Wednesday.

 

Wu Guanzheng, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, who is on a friendly visit to Madagascar, made the remarks when meeting Solofonnantenaina Razoarimihaja, chairman of the TIM.

 

Wu, who is also secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC, said since the two countries established diplomatic ties 34 years ago, bilateral relations had progressed steadily, with frequent exchanges of high-level visits and increasingly expanding cooperation in various fields.

 

China and Madagascar, both developing countries, are bearing the important task of developing the economy and raising people's living standards. Reinforcing the Sino-Madagascan friendly cooperation is in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples, Wu said.

 

The Chinese government will continue to promote the Sino-Madagascan friendly ties and make efforts to improve comprehensive cooperation and exchanges between the two countries, he said.

 

Speaking highly of the role of party-to-party exchanges in promoting the development of state relations, Wu said both the CPC and the TIM were ruling parties, and increased mutual exchanges and cooperation and sharing of experiences in party management and state governance were conducive to the party and state construction of both sides.

 

Razoarimihaja said the TIM and the CPC enjoyed close and friendly relations and Wu's visit opened a new stage for the two parties' friendly cooperation.

 

Hailing China's opening and reform drive led by the CPC, Razoarimihaja expressed appreciation of China's great achievements. He also expressed thanks for the help and support to Madagascar from the CPC, the Chinese government and people.

 

The TIM is willing to work together with the CPC to deepen party and state friendship, and make new contributions to further develop the African-Chinese friendly relations, he added.

 

Wu and his delegation arrived here on Wednesday afternoon for a friendly visit. In his written speech delivered at the airport upon arrival, he said he was delighted to be invited by the TIM to pay this visit, which is aimed to further increase mutual understanding, consolidate friendship, exchange experiences, and deepen cooperation.

 

Wu flew here after concluding his visit to Rwanda earlier Wednesday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 31, 2006)