Premier Li Keqiang hosts a welcome ceremony for Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe Patrice Trovoada in Beijing on April 12.

Premier Li Keqiang said China is willing to promote mutual political trust and pragmatic cooperation with Sao Tome and Principe, an island nation off the coast of central Africa, while meeting with Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada on April 12 in Beijing.

The Premier said the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Sao Tome and Principe benefits its national interests and people and fits global trends. China advocates that all countries are equal, whether large or small, and that they should respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, he added.

The Premier hoped that San Tome and Principe can firmly adhere to the one-China policy.

China is willing to start a “new chapter” of win-win cooperation and expand cultural exchanges with Sao Tome and Principe, based on mutual respect and equal treatment, Premier Li said.

He also said China is willing to align development strategies with Sao Tome and Principe and implement the bilateral five-year cooperation framework agreement by bringing into play their own competitive advantages.

The Premier hoped the two countries can cooperate on tourism, agriculture, fishery and infrastructure. China would like to offer as much help as it can, according to the needs of San Tome and Principe, such as receiving more students to study in China and sending medical teams.

The Premier said that strengthening solidarity and cooperation with African countries is a firm long-term strategic choice, and China will also stick to real policies for Africa to support their long-term peace and sustainable development.

China is willing to work with African countries including Sao Tome and Principe to promote the construction of highways, high-speed rails, regional aviation networks and industrialization, strengthen cooperation under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, improve their own development ability and achieve win-win cooperation.

Premier Li Keqiang hosts a welcome ceremony for Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe Patrice Trovoada in Beijing on April 12.

Trovoada said the restoration of diplomatic relations with China started a new chapter of bilateral ties, which will surely promote friendly cooperation between the two countries. He said Sao Tome and Principe firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and respects China’s sovereign rights and core concerns.

His country has confidence in the future development of bilateral relations, and also expects that China could share its development experiences, according to Trovoada.

He said Sao Tome and Principe is willing to use its own economic advantages to implement the bilateral framework agreements, create favorable conditions for the investment of Chinese enterprises, improve cooperation in tourism, fishery, infrastructure and talent training to drive its own development and benefit people in both countries.

Sao Tome and Principe regards China as a friend and partner, and it is also highly appreciative of the Chinese government’s policies on Africa, he said.

Before the talk, Premier Li held a welcoming ceremony for Trovoada in front of the Great Hall of the People. And after the meeting, both leaders witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents in economic technology, people-to-people exchanges, infrastructure and tourism.

Premier Li Keqiang hosts a welcome ceremony for Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe Patrice Trovoada in Beijing on April 12.

Premier Li Keqiang meets with Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe Patrice Trovoada in Beijing on April 12.