Chinese President Hu Jintao said Monday in Beijing that it is an unalterable policy of China to develop friendly cooperative relations with Zimbabwe.

Hu made the remarks in a meeting with Zimbabwean President Robert Gabriel Mugabe, who came to Beijing for the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Leaders of China and 48 African countries attended the historic summit.

Hailing the smooth development of bilateral ties, Hu said bilateral cooperation have kept expanding over the years and the two countries also enjoy close cooperation in international affairs.

Hu said China hopes the two countries will keep high-level visits, actively explore new areas for cooperation and improve cooperation in agriculture, telecommunications, transportation and infrastructure construction.

He also called on the two countries to improve people-to-people exchanges to improve mutual understanding and friendship.

Mugabe said the traditional friendship between China and Zimbabwe is deeply rooted and China has offered precious assistance during Zimbabwe's struggle for national liberation and development.

He said Zimbabwe highly values its relations with China and will join hands with China to keep enhancing friendly cooperation under the new situation.

China and Zimbabwe established diplomatic relations on the very day when Zimbabwe declared independence on April 18, 1980.

Source: Xinhua