Madagascar

Note: This column mainly includes countries along the Belt and Road and countries that have signed cooperation agreements with China on Belt and Road Initiative.

The relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Madagascar grew steadily in 2013.

The two countries maintained friendly exchanges. In October and December, Cheng Tao, former Vice President of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs and former Ambassador to Morocco, and Gao Yuchen, former Ambassador to Mauritius, led separate delegations to Madagascar to observe the two rounds of presidential and parliamentary elections. They met with Madagascan Foreign Minister Jacques Ulrich Andriantiana. The Chinese Embassy in Madagascar provided computers and other materials to assist the election in Madagascar.

On 14 August, China's new Ambassador to Madagascar Yang Min presented credentials to interim President Andry Nirina Rajoelina.

Bilateral cooperation under the framework of the Forum on China- Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was strengthened steadily. The well drilling project built with Chinese assistance was completed and handed over to Madagascar. The general hospital, elementary school and solar energy projects made smooth progress.

The two countries maintained a sound momentum in cultural exchanges. China provided 31 scholarships to Madagascar. The number of learning centers teaching Chinese language under Confucius Institute grew to 30 and the number of people learning Chinese in Madagascar exceeded 6,700.