Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with Mauritian Prime Minister Paul Raymond Berenger during the welcome ceremony Wen hosts for Berenger in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 24, 2005. (Xinhua Photo)

     BEIJING, Jan. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese President Wen Jiabao and his Mauritian counterpart Paul Raymond Berenger vowed here Monday to further relations between the two countries.

    "Sino-Mauritian relationship is a new type of partnership basedon mutual trust, reciprocity and overall cooperation. It is in thefundamental interests of the two countries to enhance the relationship," said Wen.

    He expressed hope that the two countries should enhance mutual support in international affairs to safeguard the interests of thedeveloping countries and expand cooperation in economy, trade and other fields.

    Mauritius is an island country in the Indian Ocean. Wen said that China would like to cooperate with Mauritius and other relevant countries on disaster early warning and prevention.

    He expressed his appreciation of Mauritius' adherence to the one-China policy.

    Referring to the Sino-African relationship, Wen noted that China and the African countries have supported each other in political affairs while conducted fruitful economic cooperation, adding that China has reduced and exempted the debts of some African countries, and began to give tariff free treatment to somegoods imported from the most underdeveloped African countries fromJan. 1 this year.

    He said that China would like to enhance cooperation with African countries and try to promote the international community'smore concern about the development of Africa.

    Berenger said that Mauritius adheres to the one-China policy and China's reunification cause, and would like to further cooperation with China on trade, economy and other fields to benefit the people of the two countries.

    He expressed gratitude to China for its help to Mauritius and other African countries, saying that Africa-China cooperation helps Africa's development.

    After talks, Wen and Berenger appeared at a signing ceremony ofthe agreements on economic and trade cooperation.