Vice-Premier Liu Yandong on Wednesday met with Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic of Congo, pledging deeper bilateral cooperation on education, culture and technology.

Both China and Africa have long history and rich culture, and the Republic of Congo has always been in the vanguard of the cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and African countries, Liu said on the sidelines of an annual meeting of the World Culture Forum in Shanghai.

The vice premier vowed joint efforts with the Republic of Congo to promote exchanges and cement the friendship between the two nations.

China stands ready to advance the bilateral ties in a sustained way, Liu said.

Hailing the solid friendship between the two countries, Sassou said the Republic of Congo is willing to work with China for further advancement of the bilateral cooperation.

At the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, Sassou is making a nine-day state visit to China.