Mainland China plans to send a medical team to São Tomé and Príncipe next month, Macauhub reports.

The website quotes Ministry of Health official Yong Feng as saying a reconnaissance of hospitals and other healthcare facilities would identify the needs of the mission but dentistry, cardiology and general surgery were among the priorities.

Mr Feng said there was a need to “introduce some Chinese technologies and medical innovations in São Tomé and Príncipe”.

The announcement comes after Beijing and São Tomé and Príncipe officially restored diplomatic ties. Bilateral diplomatic relations were suspended in 1997.