BEIJING, Feb. 3  -- Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao met here on Tuesday with Nigerien Foreign Minister Mohamed Bazoum, vowing to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with Niger.

Li said China and Niger have witnessed rapid development of their friendly cooperation in recent years.

China is willing to work with Niger to further their friendship by strengthening political mutual trust, enhancing coordination on international and regional affairs and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, said Li.

Noting that China is an important partner of Niger, Bazoum said Niger hopes to work with China to advance their relations.

Currently, Sino-Nigerien cooperation covers energy, culture, security and infrastructure.

The West African country obtained a loan of 480 billion CFA Francs (1 billion U.S. dollars) from the Export-Import Bank of China (China Exim Bank) in 2014 to fund projects in sectors such as construction, agriculture and industry.