Wen calls for greater co-op with Malawi

BEIJING—Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika here on Wednesday, and called for setting up formal mechanism to guide and coordinate bilateral trade cooperation.
Wen told Mutharika that to enhance China-Malawi friendly cooperative ties was in the fundamental interests of both sides, adding China was ready to expand substantial cooperation with Malawi.
The premier called on both countries to confer on setting up a guidance and coordination mechanism for trade cooperation. China would encourage its enterprises to increase imports from Malawi in a bid to stimulate bilateral trade and promote its balanced development.
Mutharika said the establishment of diplomatic ties had unveiled a new chapter for bilateral relations. Malawi would stick to the one-China policy and support China’s reunification.
Mutharika said his country would maintain high-level exchanges with China, step up mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, technology, culture, medical treatment and social development, and Malawi would participate in the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Wen said China welcomed Malawi to join the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, and was ready to join with Malawi to inject new vigor to China-Africa friendly cooperation.
Mutharika echoed that Malawi was willing to contribute to cementing Africa-China cooperation. Mutharika arrived on Monday afternoon for a weeklong state visit to China as Hu’s guest. He will also visit Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, and the cities of Shenzhen and Shanghai.
China and Malawi agreed to strengthen military cooperation in various fields during the talks between the defense ministers of the two countries here on Wednesday. “The Chinese armed forces attach great importance to establishing and developing relations with the Malawian armed forces,” said Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie.
Liang, who is also state councilor, told his Malawian counterpart Aaron Sangala that the Chinese side is ready to develop exchanges and cooperation with the Malawian side in various fields. Sangala said the cooperation between Malawi and China is based on south-south cooperation, and Malawi hopes to strengthen military and defense cooperation with China.
Sangala is accompanying Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika who is here for a weeklong state visit to China as guest of Chinese President Hu Jintao.

—Xinhua