China eyes upgrading cooperation with Angola

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with Angolan President Joao Lourenco in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 9, 2018. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- China and Angola should upgrade their mutually beneficial cooperation and bring benefits to both peoples, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Tuesday in Beijing.

Li made the remarks while meeting with Angolan President Joao Lourenco, who is in China for a state visit.

"With a profound traditional friendship, China and Angola are each other's important partner, and their bilateral relations have long been at the forefront of China's relations with African countries," Li said.

"China hopes to work with the Angolan side to continue to consolidate political mutual trust, promote cooperation in various fields and better achieve win-win results and common development."

Li noted that the pragmatic cooperation between China and Angola had broad prospects.

"The two sides should synergize their development strategies, fully implement the results of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, bring forth innovative cooperation models, accelerate the negotiation on signing the investment protection agreement, promote collaboration in industries, trade, infrastructure and other key areas, further give play to the role of private enterprises, upgrade the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides and bring benefits to both peoples," Li said.

"China encourages Chinese enterprises to invest in Angola and abide by Angola's laws and regulations. We hope that Angola provide convenience in business operations and take more measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens."

Lourenco said Angola was willing to enhance cooperation with China in hydroelectric stations, power grids, highways, railways and other fields, and provide a favorable environment for Chinese companies to invest and develop in Angola.