国内英语新闻:Chinese vice premier calls for closer ties with Mauritius

PORT LOUIS, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu called for closer ties with Mauritius while meeting with Mauritian President Sir Anerood Jugnauth at the State House here on Friday.

Jugnauth commended the mutual beneficial cooperation between the two countries and expressed appreciation for China's assistance to Mauritius in the past years.

The Mauritius president said that he is impressed by China's achievement in developing its economy and turning into an important country in the world.

Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu (1st L) meets with Mauritian President Anerood Jugnauth in Port Louis, Mauritius, Jan. 7, 2011.

For his part, Hui noted in the meeting that China and Mauritius have enjoyed cordial relationship since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1972 and with more frequent exchange of high level visits and deepening cooperation in multi-sectors, the bilateral ties have been further strengthened.

He said during the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to the Indian Ocean island country in 2009, the Chinese president and Mauritius officials resolved to push the bilateral cooperation to a higher level.

As the two countries are embracing the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties next year, China is committed to building stronger ties with Mauritius in various aspects, he said.

Hui started his three-day visit to Mauritius on Friday, the first leg of his five-African country tour which will also take him to Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon and Senegal.