Antananarivo, July 20th—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, held talks with leaders of Chinese enterprises in Madagascar and representatives of overseas Chinese.

During the meeting, representatives from the Association of Chinese Enterprises in Madagascar, Hongyuan Group, China Railway 18th Bureau Group, Jiangxi Zhongmei Engineering Construction Company, King Deer Cashmere Company Limited, Yuan's Madagascar Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., as well as leaders from the Association of Chinese traders and entrepreneurs, Nantong Chamber of Commerce, Shunde Chamber of Commerce in Antananarivo and others institutions, introduced their work and living in Madagascar and expressed their deep connections to the motherland. They said that China's strength has boosted the confidence of overseas Chinese in Madagascar and brought about more development opportunities. They are committed to actively contributing to China-Madagascar cooperation by participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. They expressed their willingness to become envoys of friendship in the new era, continuously uphold an enterprising spirit and advance practical cooperation between China and Madagascar and between China and Africa, and make unremitting efforts to strengthen and promote China-Madagascar friendship. They pledged to unite the overseas Chinese community in Madagascar, fulfill their social responsibilities, actively engage in charity work, convey humanistic care, provide support and assistance for local employment, taxation, infrastructure and other areas, do their best to give back to Madagascar, and make greater contributions to the economic and social development of Madagascar.

Liu acknowledged the positive contributions made by Chinese enterprises and overseas Chinese in Madagascar to deepening China-Madagascar cooperation, promoting local development, and enhancing people-to-people bond. He said, African countries, including Madagascar, enjoy broad prospects for development and boast vitality and potential. China's economy remains on a positive trajectory over the long run, which has continuously promoted high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, firmly expanded high-level opening-up, and injected new impetus into China-Africa cooperation. Under the new circumstances, overseas Chinese possess unique advantages as bridges and bonds and can play an even greater role. It is hoped that everyone seizes the opportunities of the times, unites sincerely, carries forward the fine traditions of China-Africa cooperation, and promotes practical cooperation and people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and Madagascar as well as between China and Africa in various fields, contributing to the building of a closer China-Africa community with a shared future. Liu encouraged everyone in Madagascar to continue their efforts in fulfilling social responsibilities, actively engaging in Madagascar's economic and social development, and working together with the local people to create a better future.

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