China has become a most important partner for Guinea-Bissau and the country has made it a priority to enhance the friendly cooperative relations with China, Guinea-Bissau's new President Malam Bacai Sanha said Friday.

During an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Sanha said he told Chinese Ambassador Yan Banghua on Thursday during a meeting that he would give priority to developing the friendly cooperative relations with China.

Sanha revealed that he would pay a visit to China in a couple of months, which will lead to further development of bilateral ties.

The two countries have a long history of friendship as China supported the people of Guinea-Bissau during their struggle against colonialism and for national independence, said the president.

China has always provided selfless assistance for Guinea-Bissau in various sectors such as agriculture, healthcare and infrastructure, said Sanha, adding his country would further work with China to achieve all-round and fruitful cooperation in these fields.

The people of Guinea-Bissau will learn from the Chinese people, who are brave, industrious and intelligent, in order to work hard for a better future of Guinea-Bissau, said the president.

Sanha stressed that his government sticks to the one-China policy, supports China's reunification cause, opposes "Taiwan independence" and "Tibet independence," and calls on other countries to support the positions of the Chinese government on related issues.

On Chinese-African relations, Sanha refuted groundless allegations on the bilateral cooperation.

Those who know about the history of the Chinese-African relations are aware of the fact that China has always provided assistance to Africa without any political conditions, Sanha pointed out.

The prominent goals of the Chinese investments in Africa nowadays are to realize win-win cooperation with Africa, to create jobs and to help African countries achieve social and economic development, he said.

Sanha voiced his warm greetings to the Chinese people ahead of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, hoping the Chinese people would make persistent efforts to build a more prosperous and stronger China.

Sanha, the 62-year-old candidate for the ruling Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC), won the presidential run-off on July 26 and was sworn in on Tuesday.

(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2009)