Angola and China are to enhance bilateral ties on legislative and political issues, and boost private sector co-operation regarding geology and mining, Angolan news agency Angop reported.

Angola’s Minister of Geology and Mining, Francisco Queiroz, and China’s Minister of Land and Resources, Jiang Daming, discussed some of those issues when they met this week in the Chinese capital, Beijing.

Mr Jiang said – as quoted by Angop – he hoped exchange between the two ministries could be enhanced in the future. He also expressed his wish to see further co-operation in the training of Angolan professionals and in the transfer of Chinese technology to assist Angola’s development.

During the meeting, the Chinese Minister also invited the Angolan Government to attend an annual international conference on mining, to be held in China. He said it would be a good opportunity for the African nation to promote its mining activities.

According to Angop, the Chinese Government also said it was willing to co-operate with Angola in areas including geological mapping and database management.

Mr Queiroz said the Beijing meeting was a significant step toward strengthening bilateral ties, Angop reported.

The Angolan Government has launched a National Geology Plan, known as Planageo. The project seeks to create the first comprehensive list of the country’s geological and mineral resources.