Hu presents five-point proposal for enhancing China-Mauritius ties

Chinese President Hu Jintao has put forward a five-point proposal in his meetings with Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam.

During Tuesday's meeting, President Hu Jintao said the two sides have continued to strengthen mutual trust, and have shared mutual understanding, sympathy and support on issues concerning each other's key interests.

Mauritius was the first African country to open a Chinese cultural center. Hu Jintao said the two sides are conducting increasingly frequent exchanges in culture and education, as well as more active people-to-people exchanges.

Hu told reporters he and Ramgoolam also agreed to help speed up the construction of the Tianli economic and trade cooperation zone, which Ramgoolam terms as the biggest integrated project ever developed in Mauritius.

China agreed to lend Mauritius $260 million to expand the island nation's airport. Hu signed deals paving the way for an interest-free loan of 40 million yuan ($5.9 million) and a 30 million yuan grant.

Ramgoolam thanked China for its consistent and valuable support for the economic and social development of Mauritius.

Mauritius was the last leg of Hu's five-nation trip which took him to Saudi Arabia, Mali, Senegal and Tanzania. The Chinese

president has now returned home.