China, Madagascar mark 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties

China and Madagascar celebrated the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic relationships on Tuesday in Antananarivo, Madagascar's capital.

During the celebration, three Chinese working in Madagascar, namely Zhong Liangting, Jian Qinde and Liu Jie, were decorated by the Malagasy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pierrot Rajaonarivelo for their promotion of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The celebration was also marked by a banquet having the participation of Malagasy senior government officials, Chinese officials in Madagascar and representatives of Chinese community in the country.

The Malagasy Minister of Foreign Affairs said during that Madagascar benefited from China several achievements as road infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, culture, hospitality, as well as loans and grants totalling more than 1.6 billion yuan.

"On behalf of the Malagasy government, let me express our thanks to you for the grateful aid provided by the Chinese government to Madagascar during the first 40 years," Pierrot Rajaonarivelo said.

Chinese Ambassador to Madagascar Shen Yongxiang said that during these 40 years, relations between China and Madagascar experienced a steady and healthy development. "Both sides have shown mutual understanding and mutual support in international and regional affairs, safeguarding the common interests of developing countries."

Shen said, "China is continuing its governmental aid through social and economic aid to reduce the suffering of Malagasy people, to bring activities and exchanges in the field of education and culture," Shen Yongxiang said.

Diplomatic relationship between China and Madagascar began on Nov. 6, 1972, but the existence of Chinese people in the Indian Ocean island country was already between the end of 18th century and the beginning of 19th century, according to the Malagasy historians. Recent archaeological research done in the north of Madagascar revealed that Chinese people already arrived in Madagascar in the 17th century.