China's top political advisor meets Vanuatu PM

Yu Zhengsheng (R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), meets with Prime Minister of Vanuatu Moana Carcasses Kalosil in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Sept. 14, 2013. Kalosil is in Yinchuan to attend the first China-Arab State Expo which will kick off on Sunday. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

China's top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng on Saturday met with Vanuatu Prime Minister Moana Carcasses Kalosil here in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), hailed the development of China-Vanuatu ties featuring mutual respect, equality, close communication in various levels and fruitful cooperation.

The two countries are sharing great prospects for development of their relationship, he said.

Yu said China highly values the relations with Vanuatu, and will work with Vanuatu to strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen political mutual trust, and expand cooperation in areas including agriculture, forestry, fishery, transportation, communication, infrastructure, clean energy, tourism and fight against climate change.

He also called on the two countries to strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges, increase mutual understanding between the two peoples, and jointly maintain the interests of developing countries.

Carcasses thanked China for inviting him to attend the China-Arab State Expo to be held in Yinchuan. He said Vanuatu steadily abides by the one-China policy and will learn from China's development experience and further expand their cooperation in all areas.

The first China-Arab State Expo, a key platform for promoting trade between China and the Muslim world, will open on Sunday in Yinchuan, capital city of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, which is home to more than 10 percent of China's 20 million Muslims.

The expo originated from the China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum, which has been held annually since 2010.