Guinea-Bissau's new President Malam Bacai Sanha vows to enhance cooperation with China, which he says is based on time-honored friendship.

The president expressed readiness for furthering bilateral ties in a meeting on Monday with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun, who was in Bissau, the capital of the West African country, on a 24-hour visit.

Sanha said the peoples of Guinea-Bissau and China are linked by a profound friendship and that the Chinese side has given a long-time, important aid to Guinea-Bissau in its construction.

"The infrastructures realized by China, including the Hospital of Bissau and the Palace of the National Assembly, are also the symbols of the friendship between the two countries," the president told his Chinese guest.

President Sanha also expressed appreciation of China's continued help with his country in its socio-economic development, especially in the fields of agriculture, health and infrastructure.

The president reassured China of Guinea-Bissau's adherence to one China policy.

The Chinese vice foreign minister said his trip to Guinea-Bissau is part of China's diplomacy to strengthen friendly ties between the two countries. The Chinese government will continue to attach importance to developing friendship and cooperation with Guinea-Bissau in the future, the Chinese official pledged.

(Xinhua News Agency September 23, 2009)