Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointed out that the cooperation between China and Angola has entered an essential stage when he met with President Joao Lourenco of the Republic of Angola on Saturday.

Conveying warm regards from Chinese President Xi Jinping to President Lourenco, Wang said Saturday is the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Angola. The two countries have established strong mutual political trust and stood side by side on each other's core interests over the past 35 years.

China will firmly support Angola with its own development which is consistent with its national conditions, its economic diversification strategy and its capacity for self-development, Wang said.

Wang noted that it is now an essential period for both countries to transform and upgrade the quality and efficiency of the cooperation. He said China will keep encouraging Chinese companies to invest in Angola and hopes that Angola can protect the legitimate rights and interests of those companies. 

Lourenco said Angola is grateful for China's investment and financing over the past 35 years, which plays an important role in Angola's peaceful post-war reconstruction. Angola hopes that China could continue to support Angola with its infrastructure construction of railways, and welcome more Chinese companies to cooperate in a range of industries, such as mining, farming, grassland farming and tourism. Angola will also improve its investment and business environment in order to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.

Wang introduced the idea of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit and said China is willing to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative with African countries and upgrade the China-Africa strategic partnership of cooperation to a higher level.

Wang is paying a visit to four African countries this weekend – Rwanda, Angola, Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe, intending to promote solidarity and cooperation with Africa.