Premier Li Keqiang met with Republic of the Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 6, calling for increasing cooperation in an all-around way.

China and the Republic of the Congo have always treated each other sincerely and as equals, and enjoy a long history of friendship, the Premier said.

President Xi Jinping held a fruitful conversation with the Congolese leader on July 5, and relations between the two countries have grown into a comprehensive strategic partnership, he said.

The Premier expressed appreciation for Sassou Nguesso’s visit as this is his first trip outside the African continent since his re-election in March 2016. He also said that China is willing to work with the Republic of the Congo, continue to consolidate political mutual trust, tap the economic benefits, and expand overall cooperation in various areas, with efforts to benefit people of the two countries.

China is confident in the prospects of cooperation with the Republic of the Congo, as well as with Africa, said the Premier, who stressed that China hopes to strengthen cooperation in industry and capacity while taking the needs of the Republic of the Congo into consideration, to step up industrialization and agricultural modernization process.

China is also willing to work with the Republic of the Congo in continuing to carry out innovation in investment and financing mode, steadily pushing infrastructure construction, and increasing cooperation in agriculture and fisheries, said the Premier.

He also urged sharing China’s experience of establishing and developing Special Economic Zones (SEZs), carrying out personnel training for sustainable development of the country, and jointly building regional logistic centers and manufacturing centers.

Sassou Nguesso expressed his condolences over flooding in South China, and offered praise for efforts made by the Chinese government.

China is a steadfast partner of the Republic of the Congo, said the Premier.

Their cooperation is growing, and the two countries support each other in international affairs, said Sassou Nguesso, who summarized that his visit to China has achieved positive results.

The Republic of the Congo hopes to take advantage of upgrading the bilateral relationship, put in place the consensus reached during this visit, and welcome Chinese enterprises to invest in the Congo, said Sassou Nguesso.

The Republic of the Congo is also willing to make more progress in cooperation in the fields of economy, capacity, agriculture, aerospace, finance, culture, and education, he added.