Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged on Friday that African countries have the priority in using the vaccine in a phone conversation with his Angolan counterpart Joao Lourenco.

During the phone call, Xi hailed the mutual support of the two countries during the coronavirus outbreak. He thanked the convenience Angola provided for Chinese citizens in Angola, affirming that China is ready to provide support at best of its capacity to Angola.

African countries will have the priority in terms of the use of coronavirus vaccine when it is put into use, said Xi, who also pledged to send more medical experts to Africa in the coming days.

Viewing Angola as China's important cooperative partner in Africa, Xi reiterated China's support for Angola's national development.

He hoped the two countries would continue enhancing their strategic partnership to a higher level and conducting cooperation in more business and investment areas.

China is willing to strengthen coordination with Angola in international affairs, said Xi, hoping the two sides can work jointly in upholding multilateralism, international justice, and the common interests of developing countries.

For his part, Lourenco congratulated China as the only country in the world that managed to control the virus in the short term.

He appreciated China for its assistance to African countries, including Angola, in the fight against the virus. The president assured Xi that Angola is willing to enhance cooperation with China in the field of vaccine development and reiterated Angola's support in issues related to China's core interests.

Angola welcomes investment from Chinese enterprises, noted Lourenco, adding the country is ready to enhance cooperation with China in international affairs.