Chinese National Day celebrated in Madagascar - China News

ANTANANARIVO, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- The 59th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China was celebrated here Tuesday at the Chinese Embassy with the presence of Madagascan Senate President Yvan Randriasandratriniony, as well as senior government officials, diplomats and representatives from the Chinese community.

Speaking at the opening of the celebration, Chinese Ambassador to Madagascar Wo Ruidi recalled the remarkable development made in China, especially since the implementation of the open-up policy and economic reform in the last 30 years.

China had become the third country after Russia and the United States to send a manned spacecraft into space in 2003 and, just a few days ago, it successfully launched the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft, with one of the three astronauts performing a spacewalk during the flight, said the ambassador.

With support of all friends in many countries, including Madagascar, the Chinese people had an opportunity to realize their dream by holding the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing, which had showed the Chinese culture to the outside world, said Wo.

The economic development in China had not only led his people on a path of peace and prosperity, but also contributed to the global economic growth and progress of human civilization, he added.

On the China-Madagascar relationship, the ambassador said it has been developing satisfactorily, bilateral cooperation in political, economic, health, cultural and sports has been successful, and mutual understanding between the peoples has also been deepened through multiple high-level visits and exchanges.

"We will pursue a foreign policy of independence and peace aimed at safeguarding world peace and promoting a common development," Wo told the reception.

In his address at the celebration, Randriaharimanana Harison, Madagascar's deputy minister of foreign affairs, said the Madagascan people share the joy of Chinese people in celebrating the 59th anniversary of their independence. He expressed his sincere good wishes and warm congratulations to Chinese President Hu Jintao, the Chinese government and the people.

"Sino-Madagascar friendship has gone from strength to strength since 1972 (when the two countries established diplomatic relations) and both countries continue to maintain close ties by various development projects undertaken in recent years, even in recent months, both in public and private," the deputy minister said.

Praising the achievement of the recent Olympic and Paralympic games in China and the successful launch of the spacecraft Shenzhou-7, Randriaharimanana also expressed his thanks to the Chinese government and its people for their investments in and assistance to Madagascar in the sectors of health, education, agriculture and infrastructure.