Premier meets counterpart from nation of Sao Tome and Principe

Premier Li Keqiang called on the African island nation Sao Tome and Principe to firmly adhere to the one-China policy while promoting cooperation with Beijing in areas like tourism and fisheries after resuming diplomatic ties four months ago.

Li made the call on Wednesday when meeting with Patrice Trovoada, prime minister of Sao Tome and Principe, who is on an official visit to China from Wednesday to Tuesday.

An agreement was signed as a guide to promote bilateral cooperation through 2021. It was among six documents signed in the presence of Li and Trovoada at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The others cover fields like trade, investment and technological help.

Trovoada became his country's first prime minister to visit Beijing after resumption of diplomatic relations on Dec 26. The move was announced after State Councilor Yang Jiechi's meeting with Sao Tome and Principe Foreign Minister Urbino Botelho in Beijing that month. The resumption came one week after the African nation cut "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan.

The premier said strengthening unity and cooperation with African countries is a firm, long-term strategy for China. He said normalization of ties will benefit Sao Tome and Principe and its people, and China advocates equality for all countries while core interests and major concerns are respected. Beijing is also ready to promote pragmatic cooperation and expand people-to-people exchanges as the one-China policy is firmly followed by the African country, he added.

Beijing is also willing to align development strategies with Sao Tome and Principe, as well as carrying out the five-year framework agreement on cooperation, Li said.

In response, Trovoada said his country will resolutely carry out the one-China policy with respect to China's sovereignty and core concerns. Sao Tome and Principe is expecting China to share its experience in development and boost cooperation in tourism, fisheries, infrastructure, personnel training and other fields, he added.

The Portuguese-speaking nation in West Africa established diplomatic relations with China immediately after its independence in 1975 but switched to Taiwan in 1997.

Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Ming told a news briefing that Sao Tome and Principe has corrected its mistakes in relations with China and will benefit from friendship and cooperation with the world's second-largest economy.

Early this year, Beijing sent experts and technicians to the nation to build facilities for electricity, telecommunication and healthcare, according to Zhang.

huyongqi@chinadaily.com.cn