On the afternoon of May 27, 2004, President Hu Jintao met with his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni at the Great Hall of the People, who was here for the Global Conference on Scaling Up Poverty Reduction in Shanghai and on a visit to China. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and other issues of common interest, and reached wide consensus.
Hu Jintao said that relations between China and Uganda have been developing steadily over the 42 years since establishment of diplomatic ties. Mutual understanding and friendship are deepening, economic and trade cooperation is expanding, and exchanges and cooperation in education, culture and health are productive. China appreciates the adherence to the one-China policy by Uganda, and is thankful for its precious support on Taiwan-related issues at the World Health Assembly. Hu added that in order to deepen the development of the friendly relations of cooperation between China and Uganda in the new century, China stands ready to maintain high-level exchanges with Uganda to enhance mutual political trust, strengthen economic and trade relations to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, expand friendly exchanges between the parliaments, government agencies, political parties and people of the two countries, and enhance coordination and cooperation in international affairs.
Hu said that China has always supported the economic and social development of Uganda and would like to continue to provide its help within available resources to Uganda on the basis of mutually beneficial cooperation and common development. As a friend of African countries, China has consistently supported the efforts by African countries in pursuit of peace and development and would like to work together with African countries, including Uganda, to promote the new type of China-Africa partnership, which is featured by long-term stability, equality and mutual benefit and comprehensive cooperation, towards new achievements.
Museveni said that the great Chinese nation is a good friend of all African people. Uganda and China have enjoyed long-standing friendship. Uganda has been receiving precious support from China all along through the period of fighting against colonial rule to the present period of national development. Museveni stressed that Uganda firmly adheres to the one-China policy, thinks highly of the rapid development of China and its important role in international affairs, and hopes to enhance comprehensively the friendly relations and cooperation with China. Uganda fully agrees to the proposals by China on the further development of bilateral relations and would like to make joint efforts with China to compose a new chapter of friendship between the two countries.
Following the meeting, the two heads of state attended the signing ceremony of the Agreement of Economic and Technological Cooperation Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Uganda, the Agreement Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Uganda on Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investment and other documents on bilateral cooperation.
State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and some other officials were present at the meeting.