BEIJING, March 18 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with visiting Ugandan Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa in Beijing on Tuesday, vowing continued support for Africa's peace and development cause.

Hailing the progress of China-Africa ties, Li said he expects to visit Africa later this year to further consolidate both the friendship and cooperation.

Kutesa, who is to be elected president of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly for 2014-2015, said African countries including Uganda hope to cement win-win cooperation with China and strengthen coordination in multilateral organizations such as the United Nations.

Li told Kutesa China firmly backs the UN and the UN General Assembly to play greater roles, nail down development plans for after 2015, and make more efforts to help developing countries.

Kutesa appreciated China's support and aid for African countries over the years, adding he believes Li's African trip would facilitate greater achievements of bilateral ties.

Kutesa is visiting China from March 17-23 at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.