President Xi Jinping called for more cooperation with Sudan in areas including oil, infrastructure, agriculture and renewable energy when meeting with his Sudanese counterpart on Tuesday.

Oil cooperation between China and Sudan has not only boosted the economic growth of both countries, but also set an example for many other developing countries, Xi said.

Xi made his remarks while meeting with Sudan President Omar al-Bashir, who is visiting China to attend the military parade on Sept 3 to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and the victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45).

China has long been the biggest trade partner, biggest project contractor and biggest investor in Sudan in past years, he added.

Al-Bashir said he was glad to be invited to the victory celebrations.

Ties between Sudan and China are solid and the two have maintained a cooperative relationship in politics, economy and culture, he said.

At the meeting, the leaders signed a joint declaration establishing a strategic partner relationship. The China National Space Administration has also signed an agreement with the Sudan National Space Committee to enhance aerospace cooperation.

During his visit, al-Bashir will witness the signing of a contract between the Sudanese government and a Chinese company to build a new railway line in eastern Sudan that extends 1,000 kilometers at cost of $1.4 billion, a report by the Xinhua News Agency quoted Sudan Minister of Transport and Roads Makkawi Mohammed Ahmed as saying on Sunday.

Al-Bashir will also witness the signing of a contract for purchasing two planes and nine river transport ships besides leasing three MA-16 Chinese-made planes, said the report.