At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President of the Republic of Benin Patrice Talon will pay a state visit to China from August 31 to September 3, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Tuesday.

In terms of China-Benin relations, the Chinese Foreign Ministry in a statement stressed that over the course of more than half a century, China and Benin have treated each other with sincerity and friendship.

"Our bilateral relationship is a fine example of equality, mutual respect and mutual trust between developing countries," the statement read.

In recent years, thanks to the personal commitment and guidance of President Xi and President Talon, the China-Benin relations have maintained a good momentum of growth, with deepening political mutual trust, fruitful cooperation in various sectors and close communication and coordination in regional and international affairs, it added.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, during the visit, President Xi will hold a welcome ceremony and a welcome banquet for President Talon, and the two heads of state will hold talks.

Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, will also meet with President Talon separately.

President Talon will also attend the Global Trade in Services Summit, the statement noted.

"We are confident that this visit will provide new impetus for the friendly cooperation between our two countries in various sectors and bring the bilateral relationship to a new height," said the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

(Cover: Beninese President Patrice Talon looks on during a press conference in Paris, France, November 9, 2021. /CFP)