Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday met with President of Cape Verde Pedro Pires, voicing a wider range of mutual exchanges.

China and Cape Verde have benefited a lot from their cooperation in different fields since the two countries established diplomatic relations 31 years ago, Wen told Pires.

Their meeting came one day ahead of the two-day annual board meetings of the African Development Bank (ADB) Group in Shanghai.

Top officials of the two countries exchanged views and reached common understandings on enhancing bilateral partnership during the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held last November, Wen said.

Steady progress has been underway in the six months after the summit, Wen said.

China announced to cancel debts in the form of all interest-free government loans that matured at the end of 2005 owed by Cape Verde.

Pires thanked China for its long-term assistance and support, adding that China is an important partner of Cape Verde and the whole African region.

Pires reiterated that Cape Verde adheres to the One-China policy.

China cherishes the traditional friendship with Cape Verde, said Wen, who also called for closer bilateral relationship and further exchanges.

Source: Xinhua