The presidents of China and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) announced on Friday the elevation of the bilateral relationship from a strategic partnership of win-win cooperation to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

China and the DRC agreed to expand cooperation to various areas of mutual interest such as education, scientific research, infrastructure construction, agriculture, energy, defense, according to a joint statement issued by the two countries.

Both sides agreed to strengthen support on issues concerning each other's core interests. China reiterated its firm support for the DRC's smooth advancement of its major domestic political agenda, and its firm opposition to external interference in the DRC's internal affairs.

Both countries also agreed to revitalize the China-DRC joint committee of economy and trade mechanism to promote investment cooperation. 

China is ready to encourage more enterprises to invest in the DRC, participate in infrastructure construction in accordance with the DRC's relevant plans, and contribute to the industrialization of the DRC and the diversified development of its economy, according to the statement.

China will help the DRC implement its digital transformation plan, continue to expand cooperation in investment and financing, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in agriculture, processing and manufacturing, as well as natural resources exploration, development and local processing, and support the DRC in achieving autonomous and sustainable development, the statement said.

The DRC vowed to further improve its business environment, provide good conditions for Chinese enterprises to operate in the DRC, and effectively protect their legitimate rights and interests. 

Both sides also agreed to enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and promote tourism, the statement added.